The US Army Strikes Iran.. The Revolutionary Guard Reveals the Results of its Attacks

SadaNews - The US Central Command announced early Thursday morning that its forces have completed the latest series of military strikes within Iran, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that it targeted two ships in the Gulf of Hormuz along with "18 important targets belonging to the US military in the region."

The US command confirmed that these strikes are a response to what it described as "ongoing and unjustified Iranian aggression," noting that American forces remain in a "state of heightened vigilance and readiness, with a continuing ability to execute decisive strikes when necessary."

It explained that the operations included the use of precision-guided munitions that targeted Iranian sites considered a direct threat to US forces and commercial navigation.

It added that the strikes targeted Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, as well as air defense sites in various areas within Iran.

The Central Command also reported that it carried out additional strikes described as "self-defense," targeting several sites within Iranian territory.

US President Donald Trump stated in comments to Fox News that he directly spoke with Iranian officials, indicating that American fighter jets are currently flying over Iranian airspace.

Trump added that US forces launched 49 Tomahawk missiles targeting sites deep within Iran. He stated, "Senior Iranian officials called me directly last night in the operations room and requested to stop bombing their country," emphasizing that military operations against Iran are expected to stop soon, according to him.

Iranian Denial

In response to Trump's statements, Iranian television quoted a senior official stating that "Trump's false claim about Iranian officials contacting him is a cover to evade war with us."

Tasnim Agency also quoted an informed Iranian source stating that "there has been no communication with Trump and we will respond militarily to the aggressions."

Trump also stated that the United States will resume bombing Iran tomorrow night if it refuses to sign the proposed agreement, indicating that he informed Iranian officials that the current bombing campaign would cease shortly.

This comes after US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that the United States will carry out strong strikes against targets inside Iran according to its conditions and in a way that serves its operational interests.

Hegseth clarified that there is complete coordination with the White House and the negotiating team, noting that the anticipated strikes aim to strengthen military and diplomatic positions and push Tehran towards accepting the agreement, according to him.

The US Secretary of War indicated that President Donald Trump gave Iran a chance to reach a deal, but he is ready to take military options if they refuse to respond, adding that the Central Command is ready to execute new strikes by presidential orders if what he described as "stalling" continues.

He emphasized that Washington keeps its military plans confidential, with ongoing development of a target bank based on updated intelligence information.

The minister confirmed that the United States is able to influence Iran to a greater extent than Tehran can influence, pointing out that the strikes will target capabilities that Iran seeks to develop, including preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

He also noted that the blockade on Iranian ports continues, with securing navigation in the Gulf of Hormuz and protecting oil tankers and commercial ships.

He saw that Iran has two options: respond to negotiations or face military escalation, stressing that the US negotiating team is ready to finalize an agreement that he described as "beneficial" for Tehran.

Iranian Defenses

In contrast, Iranian television reported hearing distant explosions near Kish Island without specifying their source, while the Mehr news agency mentioned the activation of air defense in Fars province without recording any explosions.

Mehr also reported hearing an explosion in the vicinity of Minab city in Hormozgan province in the south, followed by another explosion in Sirik city in the same province.

Mehr explained, quoting informed Iranian sources, that "clashes between Iranian forces and the US army in the Gulf waters and the Sea of Oman are ongoing," mentioning that "Americans attacked seven points on the southern coast of Iran so far."

For its part, Fox News quoted a US official stating, "We deny that any clashes or naval skirmishes have occurred between the United States and the naval forces of the Revolutionary Guard."

In a later development, Mehr reported the activation of air defense systems west of the Iranian capital Tehran, without additional details about the nature or causes of the explosions, while Iranian television stated that "five hostile projectiles targeted a site in the Kargan area in Minab city in southern Iran."

Iranian television also clarified, quoting sources saying, "There has been no confirmation yet of the targeting of the oil refinery area in Assaluyeh city in southern Iran," while the governor of Assaluyeh confirmed no explosions occurred in the city.

Iranian media reported from military sources confirming that Tehran will respond immediately to any attack and will not hesitate to impose new equations.

Iranian media also reported - later - hearing two explosions in Karaj city west of Tehran, while Mehr agency spoke about another explosion in Abik city in Qazvin province.

Iranian Attacks

Later, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that it launched a missile at an F-16 fighter that "violated the airspace over the Gulf waters and forced it to flee."

Mehr agency reported that the space forces of the Revolutionary Guard executed the first phase of offensive operations using missiles and drones.

The Iranian army stated that it targeted communication antennas and radar installations belonging to the "Patriot" system of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

It explained that it carried out an attack with suicide drones targeting the US Fifth Fleet, in response to what it described as US aggressions on southern Iran, while Iranian television reported the attack using army drones.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard also stated that it targeted 18 important targets belonging to the US army at the Ali Al-Salem and Ahmed Al-Jaber bases in Kuwait and the Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain.

The Revolutionary Guard clarified that the US army targeted coastal units and police and security commands in the vicinity of Bandar Abbas Airport in Iran.

Closing the Hormuz Strait

Iranian television also reported that the Iranian "Khatam al-Anbiya" military headquarters confirmed targeting any ship attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing its closure to all types of vessels, citing what it described as insecurity resulting from American attacks on southern regions of the country.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's navy also confirmed the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until further notice "due to repeated American violations of ceasefire conditions," indicating the targeting of "two violating ships attempting to cross illegally."

For its part, the US Central Command stated that commercial ships continue to cross the Strait of Hormuz in and out tonight, saying, "The Revolutionary Guard's claims of a closure of the strait are incorrect."

Israeli Alert

On the Israeli side, Channel 12 reported that the Israeli army "raises its alert level in preparation for the possibility of resuming fighting with Iran."

Yedioth Ahronoth reported officials saying that "Israel is on alert and is preparing in case of a resumption of fighting if Iran launches missiles in response to an American strike."

For its part, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported, quoting security sources, that "Israel is not involved in the attacks on Iran at this time."

Pressure for Negotiation

This comes after Axios reported from sources that among the options proposed by the US administration is to carry out a wide, short military operation to pressure Iran to change its negotiating position, alongside a meeting that President Trump will hold with his security team to discuss the possibilities of directing new strikes.

The Wall Street Journal quoted Pentagon officials stating that the recent attacks are a form of "coercive diplomacy" aimed at pressuring Iran to compel it to make concessions during negotiations.

Axios reported, quoting US officials, that the goal of the strikes is to push Tehran to sign an agreement, warning at the same time that they may lead to military escalation.

Earlier yesterday, President Trump stated that the United States would strike Iran "strongly" again, after attacks were launched last night, claiming to respond to the downing of an American Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also said, "We are close to reaching a deal, but Iran continues to stall," emphasizing that Tehran has wasted a long time in negotiations that could have led to an agreement yielding "great gains."