US Central Command announced the strikes began at 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT) on Tuesday, accusing the IRGC of "recent attempted attacks" against commercial shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz and against American military personnel deployed to the region. The operation follows the first known US strikes on Iran since late July, which targeted two rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait earlier this week.
President Donald Trump confirmed the "large and powerful" strikes, stating they were a response to Iran firing eight missiles at a US military base in Jordan. He also accused Iran of "failing" at attempts to add sea mines to the Strait. Trump warned that if Iran retaliates, the US would strike again at "a much harder and higher level," adding: "It will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that several explosions were also heard on Qeshm Island, as well as in Konarak and Bandar Abbas. The IRGC spokesperson, Hossein Mohebbi, said that severe punishment awaited the US and that the country would regret the new attacks. Iran's deputy governor for security confirmed that four projectiles had struck Chabahar and Konarak, according to state media.