The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired ballistic missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles, and explosive drones at three US Navy destroyers, USS Truxtun, Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media. Iran accused the US of breaking a fragile ceasefire by striking Iranian tankers.
Iran’s top military command said the US had attacked vessels and coastal areas near Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island, prompting Iran’s retaliatory strikes. Tasnim News Agency said the attacks caused “significant damage” and forced the destroyers to retreat toward the Sea of Oman. CENTCOM denied any US losses and said its actions were “self-defence” against Iranian attacks.
Senior IRGC commanders, including Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Mousavi, said the missiles used were over ten years old, and warned that more advanced weapons are kept in reserve for bigger conflicts. The IRGC also announced plans to test a long-range missile, claiming it can reach 4,000 kilometres, showing Iran’s growing regional reach.
NBC News reported that an older Iranian F-5 jet flew very low, avoided Patriot defences, hit Camp Buehring in Kuwait, and returned safely, highlighting weaknesses in US regional air defences.
Yemen, aligned with Iran, warned Arab states that attacks on Iran could trigger strikes on regional energy infrastructure, including oil routes through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb. Analysts say these warnings aim to deter US allies and increase pressure during ongoing negotiations in Islamabad.
The IRGC framed the operation as proof of Iran’s strength, showing power both at home and in the region amid ongoing talks. Officials in Tehran, including Mojtaba Khamenei, Masoud Pezeshkian, and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, continue to manage military and diplomatic decisions while balancing hardline expectations within the country.
