TEHRAN, Iran, July 18 (ANI): Following U.S. strikes targeting civilian infrastructure across Iran, the Islamic Republic on Friday (local time) launched a series of retaliatory military operations targeting U.S. naval and military assets across the Gulf region, including in Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, and Syria. The country’s armed forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) separately announced the strikes as part of Tehran’s ongoing military campaigns.
According to statements carried by the Iranian state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Iran’s Army and the IRGC said the operations were conducted in response to recent U.S. attacks on Iranian territory and military personnel.
In a statement, the Iranian Army’s Public Relations office said its Navy fired coast-to-sea cruise missiles at what it described as an “aggressor” U.S. vessel in the northern Indian Ocean as part of the 13th phase of the Army’s “Operation Lightning.”
The Army claimed the cruise missile strike forced the vessel to move out of range, adding that the operation caused “fear and panic” among U.S. forces.
Iran also claimed to have expanded its retaliatory operations across multiple countries in the Gulf and the wider region, announcing strikes against U.S. military facilities and assets in Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, and Syria.
In a separate statement, the IRGC’s Public Relations office said its Aerospace Force carried out the 16th wave of “Operation Nasr 2,” targeting the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The IRGC claimed the attack destroyed a long-range radar system and several U.S. strategic aerial refueling aircraft while seriously damaging others. It described the operation as retaliation for what it called recent U.S. attacks and warned that further responses would follow if American military operations continued.
The IRGC also claimed that, during the 15th phase of Operation Nasr 2, its Ground Force struck U.S. military positions in Kuwait, destroying a HIMARS launcher and missiles. It further alleged that drone and missile strikes targeted locations used by U.S. forces and what it described as “counter-revolutionary” groups.
In another statement, the IRGC alleged that ballistic missiles and drones targeted U.S. military aircraft stationed in Jordan, including refueling aircraft and fighter jets operating from American bases in the country. It claimed several aircraft were destroyed and others damaged while urging the people and military of Jordan to oppose the continued presence of U.S. forces.
The IRGC further said its Navy destroyed a maritime control radar at the Salameh Rocks and a U.S. air control radar in Oman’s Ghanem area during the 13th phase of Operation Nasr 2. It also maintained that the Strait of Hormuz remained under the control of Iranian naval forces.
Separately, the IRGC claimed its Aerospace Force conducted a surprise attack on what it described as the U.S. Special Operations Command center in the Al-Tanf region of Syria during the 11th phase of Operation Nasr 2. According to the statement, the operation destroyed radar systems and helicopters while capturing U.S. personnel.
However, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) refuted Iran’s claims that U.S. personnel had been captured.
“CLAIM: Iranian forces claim they attacked al-Tanf Garrison in Syria and captured or killed American troops in the process. FALSE. FACT: No U.S. troops in the region have recently been killed or captured,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Army said that during the 12th phase of Operation Lightning, Arash drones targeted U.S. military deployment and logistical support centers in Kuwait. The Army described the operation as retaliation for recent U.S. attacks and said it remained prepared for further military action.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes came after the United States targeted civilian infrastructure during its recent wave of strikes in Iran, killing and injuring several people.
According to IRIB, multiple locations in Iran’s Hormozgan province were hit during Washington’s sixth consecutive night of operations against the Islamic Republic.
Two bridges near the village of Kohourestan, the Shor River in Bandar Khamir County, and Tappe Allah Akbar, a neighborhood of Bandar Abbas, were targeted in airstrikes.
In another incident, IRIB reported that the Bandar Abbas railway junction station was also targeted.
According to IRIB, Hormozgan Governorate said that, in addition to the Kohourestan Bridge, the Giriveh Bridge, described as one of the province’s key transportation links, was also struck.
U.S. forces on Thursday launched another wave of military strikes against Iran, marking the sixth consecutive night of operations against the Islamic Republic amid rising hostilities between the two sides.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the attack was aimed at further degrading Iran’s military capabilities, as Tehran poses a threat to commercial vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, Washington claims. (ANI)
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