Tehran: Iranian state media reported on Tuesday that Tehran had launched missile and drone attacks against US positions in the region after American forces carried out fresh strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran.
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that missiles and drones were being fired at US positions. It also said explosions were heard at the Prince Hassan and Muaffaq Salti air bases in Jordan, citing unnamed Arabic sources.
The IRGC said a US Marine base in Jordan had been targeted in response to a US attack on a wedding ceremony near Sirik in Hormozgan province. The force claimed the strike killed a number of US personnel and destroyed several facilities and assault helicopters. The claims could not be independently verified.
Iranian state media also reported casualties from the wedding attack. ISNA cited a provincial official as saying two people were killed and several injured, while Reuters, citing an Iranian state television reporter, reported at least four deaths and 35 serious injuries.
Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces warned that the US would face what it called “crushing and devastating blows” in response to attacks in Sistan and Baluchestan and Hormozgan provinces.
Tasnim News Agency separately reported that Iran had shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Khomein in Markazi province using a new air defence system.
The US Central Command said American forces began striking IRGC targets in Iran at 1600 GMT. It said the attacks followed alleged attempts by the IRGC to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and US personnel deployed in the region.
US President Donald Trump said American forces were striking Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any Iranian retaliation would trigger a stronger response. He also said eight Iranian missiles fired at a US base in Jordan had been intercepted.
Further explosions were reported near Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm Island, according to Iranian state media. Fars also reported four projectiles striking areas around Chabahar and Konarak in Sistan-Baluchestan.
Tensions also affected shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker was struck by three unidentified projectiles while leaving the strait near Khasab, Oman. No casualties or environmental damage were reported.
Iranian officials said diplomacy remained possible if Washington returned to commitments under an interim memorandum of understanding. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused the US of violating the agreement, while President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would reciprocate if Washington restored its commitments.
The United States has also warned its citizens in the Middle East of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and further travel disruption amid the escalation.
