CENTCOM says IRGC facilities hit in coordinated response as tensions escalate across the Middle East

The United States military has launched heavy retaliatory strikes against Iran, accusing Tehran of attempting to target American forces with ballistic missiles.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites, including missile and drone facilities, command centres, coastal defence systems, and maritime assets. The action followed what Washington described as attempted attacks on US bases in Jordan and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

According to CENTCOM, the strikes began at about 8:00 p.m. ET and lasted roughly one hour. Officials described the operation as a direct response to Iran’s alleged missile assault, noting that all incoming missiles were intercepted before reaching their targets.

The escalation comes just a day after the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out their first publicly acknowledged joint strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq.

President Donald Trump had earlier vowed a strong military response, warning that Iran would face serious consequences.

“We’re going to be hitting them very hard because it’s our turn to hit them,” Trump said.

He also claimed that Tehran had appealed for the strikes not to proceed. The conflict has now stretched into its fifth month, despite earlier expectations that it would be short-lived.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, however, defended its actions, stating that it targeted a US air base and command centre in Jordan in retaliation for what it described as American aggression.

The IRGC also claimed responsibility for attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging that the vessels ignored warnings while navigating what it called an unsafe route through the strategic waterway.

The renewed hostilities follow a brief period of relative calm, during which diplomatic efforts appeared to resume. Reports suggested that President Trump met with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who reportedly urged de-escalation, although the White House has not confirmed the meeting.

Tehran has denied claims that negotiations with Washington are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the conflict has spread into Iraq, where recent joint US-Saudi strikes targeted facilities linked to Iran-backed militias. Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces said at least 20 of its members were killed, while the Iraqi presidency condemned the attacks as a violation of the country’s sovereignty.

The United States, however, maintained that the operations were coordinated with Iraqi authorities, underscoring the deepening regional tensions between Iran and its rivals.