US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday at 1600 UTC began a wave of strikes against Iranian military targets, including sites in Bandar Abbas, Jask, Sirik, Minab, Qeshm, and Chabahar.
The operation, CENTCOM claimed, targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) infrastructure, specifically air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities, and communications networks, in response to recent IRGC attempts to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and US service members in the region.
A US strike hit a residential home in Kuhestak, Sirik, where a wedding celebration was taking place. According to the Iranian Red Crescent and local officials, the attack resulted in at least four deaths, including a child, and over 68 injuries.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the event as a "savage crime," while CENTCOM stated its focus was strictly on military and strategic infrastructure to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten maritime traffic.
In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones at US-linked facilities across the region. The IRGC claimed successful strikes on 85 US military sites, including Camp Titin in Jordan and the Sheikh Isa Airbase in Bahrain. Jordan’s military reported intercepting 10 out of 13 incoming ballistic missiles, while Kuwait and Bahrain activated air defenses against hostile drone and missile attacks.
President Donald Trump warned in a Truth Social post, that Iran would face further, more severe escalation if it continued retaliatory actions.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters and the IRGC in a statement vowing a "crushing response," and continued retaliatory barrage operations involving ballistic missiles and strike drones aimed at U.S. assets and allied infrastructure across the Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The six-month conflict has focused on control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil flows. Iran closed the waterway in response to U.S.-Israeli attack that started on February 28. U.S. naval forces claim to have conducted mine-clearing and escort operations which has come under Iranian attacks.
This tit-for-tat escalation marks the latest flare-up in a conflict that repeatedly disrupted global maritime trade. Prior to the September 1 strikes, a brief month-long lull broke down when U.S. forces struck missile sites on Larak Island. Iran answered with attacks on tankers and military outposts, directly leading to CENTCOM's massive September 1 military campaign.
Global energy markets responded immediately, with crude prices spiking over $4 a barrel to five-week highs. This comes as Iranian diplomatic efforts are underway at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to secure material and military assistance from partners like Russia and China.