Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said it targeted a U.S. military base in retaliation for an American strike near Bandar Abbas Airport, according to Iranian state media reports. The development marks a sharp escalation in already heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington amid ongoing military exchanges in the region.
According to Iranian broadcaster IRIB, the IRGC stated that the attack on the U.S. installation took place early Thursday at around 4:50 AM local time. The group claimed the action was a direct response to what it described as “aggression” involving aerial strikes near Bandar Abbas, a strategically important port city in southern Iran.
The IRGC did not disclose the exact location of the American base that was targeted. However, regional media reports suggest that multiple U.S.-linked military facilities in the wider Gulf region remain on high alert following the incident. Kuwait and other nearby states have reportedly increased defensive measures amid fears of spillover attacks.
The escalation comes after a series of strikes attributed to U.S. forces in southern Iran, including reported attacks on drone infrastructure and military control facilities near Bandar Abbas. Washington has previously described its actions as defensive, aimed at neutralizing threats to its personnel and maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have warned that any further strikes would be met with stronger retaliation. The IRGC statement reportedly emphasized that continued “aggression” by the United States would lead to a “more decisive response,” signaling that the confrontation could intensify further.
At the same time, diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions remain uncertain. While some indirect communication channels are reportedly still open, recent military actions from both sides have undermined hopes for a sustained ceasefire in the region.
International observers have raised concerns that the latest exchange could widen the conflict beyond Iran’s borders, particularly given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy shipping. Any disruption in the area could have significant economic consequences worldwide.
So far, neither the United States nor independent international monitors have confirmed the extent of damage from the IRGC-claimed strike, and there are no verified reports of casualties.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides maintaining heightened military readiness and issuing warnings of further retaliation if attacks continue.
