Tehran/Washington/Cairo/Kuwait City, 30 July (H.S.): Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday reacted strongly to the massive US airstrikes carried out against Iran following an attack on American forces in Jordan, vowing immediate retaliation against the attackers. Iran acknowledged that three cities in Bushehr province were severely affected by the overnight US air campaign. Notably, Iran’s only nuclear power plant is located in Bushehr province.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), while confirming the airstrikes on Iran, said that more than 50,000 American troops stationed across the Middle East are prepared to deal with any situation.

According to reports by Al Jazeera, Axios, Tasnim, IRIB, Fars, Gulf News, Arab News and CBS News, CENTCOM said on X that the strikes on Iran were launched in response to the missile attack carried out against US forces in Jordan a day earlier. The US military targeted and destroyed dozens of IRGC facilities, including military command centres, missile and drone facilities, coastal surveillance sites, security installations and naval capabilities.

CENTCOM said the objective of the operation was to protect US forces, commercial shipping and neighbouring Gulf countries from threats posed by Iran and its allied groups.

The US command said Iran had launched ballistic missiles against American forces stationed in the Middle East. It added that all missiles fired from Iran targeting a US base in Jordan were successfully intercepted. CENTCOM further stated that over 50,000 US troops equipped with advanced weapon systems remain prepared to respond to any potential threat in the region.

Meanwhile, officials on Iran’s Qeshm Island said that US forces carried out airstrikes in the early hours of Thursday. Three explosions were heard around 3:50 am local time, and residents claimed that one missile landed in a residential area. The strategically located island lies in the Persian Gulf.

The Deputy Governor General for Security Affairs of Hormozgan province confirmed that several cruise missiles were fired by the US at Qeshm around 4 am. The IRGC, in a statement, admitted that its forces had targeted a US military command centre and airbase in Jordan with ballistic missiles early Wednesday.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that American missiles caused destruction in three cities of Bushehr province. Citing the provincial governor, it said the strikes hit areas around Bushehr, Jam and Khormoj. However, the country’s only nuclear power plant has remained safe so far.

Fars News Agency, quoting the IRGC’s public relations department, said, “The aggressor will be punished today itself.” The statement came after Washington announced that it had carried out heavy strikes on Iran overnight. The attacks reportedly caused powerful explosions in Qeshm, Kish, Bandar Abbas, Abadan and Bushehr.

The IRGC also asserted that the Strait of Hormuz falls under Iranian territory and claimed that its navy has full control over the strategic waterway, warning that no outside interference would be allowed.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Defence Ministry announced that an employee was killed in an Iranian attack targeting a building belonging to a Chinese company in the northern part of the country. Major General Saud Abdul Aziz Al-Otaibi said the attack caused extensive damage to the building and added that the armed forces were prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the escalating US-Iran conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. He urged both countries to immediately halt hostilities and return to the path of diplomacy.

UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said in New York that the Secretary-General was deeply concerned about the latest escalation and believed that the conflict could intensify further if both sides failed to return to dialogue. He added that the situation had already shown signs of worsening in recent hours.

Guterres also called on Pakistan, Qatar and other mediating countries to make immediate efforts to help de-escalate tensions and encourage negotiations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar