Iran says it launches retaliatory attacks on 21 American military targets across Middle East

Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced in the early hours of Wednesday that it had launched retaliatory operations against 21 American military positions situated at US air and naval facilities across the region.

In an official statement, the IRGC claimed that long-range missiles struck four significant targets at Jordan’s Al-Azraq military base, including hangars reportedly used for F-35 fighter aircraft and a command-and-control facility.

Jordan’s armed forces, however, stated that air defense units successfully intercepted and destroyed five missiles fired from Iran toward the Al-Azraq region.

Military officials said the intercepted missiles were neutralized before reaching their targets and that debris from the destroyed projectiles fell in the area without causing any casualties or material losses.

The IRGC also reported carrying out a drone strike against Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Base, saying the action was taken in response to what it described as American aggression.

The force further cautioned that it remains fully prepared to deliver a “crushing and decisive” response to any future attack, stressing that US forces would be responsible for any consequences resulting from further escalation.

Earlier, the IRGC said it had downed a US MQ-9 drone over Jam County in Iran’s southern Bushehr province.

These developments unfolded only hours after American forces conducted strikes in southern Iran.
Reacting to the situation, Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly denounced the attacks and stated that the country’s armed forces had "severely targeted the US bases and assets in the region that were the origin" of the latest strikes carried out against Iran.

In another statement published by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the ministry urged countries in the region, particularly those located on the southern coast of the Gulf, to stop the United States and Israel from "using their territory and facilities for planning, executing, and supporting aggressive actions" against Tehran.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right to self-defense, including by targeting the origin of the attacks, as well as the bases and logistical facilities used to execute and support aggressive operations" against its territory, the statement added.

Later, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that it had concluded what it described as “self-defense” strikes against Iran.

According to CENTCOM, American fighter aircraft targeted Iranian radar installations and air defense systems near the Strait of Hormuz in response to the reported downing of a US Army Apache helicopter.

Tensions across the region have remained high since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israel and several regional states hosting American military assets.

Although a temporary ceasefire came into effect on April 8, subsequent disagreements over its implementation and evolving regional developments eventually stalled further negotiations.