US strikes hit IRGC bases across southern Iran in 13th wave; B-1 bombers reportedly involved

Sustained Aerial Campaign

The 13th wave of US strikes began at approximately 01:45 Jerusalem time (18:45 ET), marking a continued escalation in the direct kinetic confrontation between Washington and the Iranian regime. According to material reviewed by The Zioneer Intelligence Desk, the strikes targeted a wide geographical area, with the most intense activity reported in the strategic hub of Ahvaz. Residents there reported dozens of explosions as aerial assets targeted IRGC infrastructure. Other confirmed strike locations include the port city of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Jask, Konarak, and Khorramabad.

Strategic Assets and Unverified Claims

Security analysts, including Yair Goldblatt, noted that the scale of tonight's operation appeared exceptionally heavy, with unconfirmed reports suggesting the use of B-1 Lancer strategic bombers to penetrate hardened targets. While the primary focus remained on the southern coast and Khuzestan province, unverified reports also emerged of strikes further inland in Yazd, Firuzabad, and Khandab. In Tehran, the capital's air defense systems were reportedly activated, though no strikes have been confirmed in the city itself.

Competing Narratives

Iranian state-linked channels claimed that their forces successfully hit a US aircraft over Qeshm Island prior to the main wave of strikes. However, no evidence or specific details have been provided to support this claim, and it remains unverified. This follows a pattern of Iranian claims regarding the interception of Western assets during the ongoing campaign.

Strategic Context

This operation follows the collapse of the 'Islamabad' memorandum earlier in July 2026 and the subsequent US naval blockade of the Persian Gulf. The sustained nature of these nightly strikes—now entering their second full week—indicates a US strategy aimed at systematically degrading the IRGC's command and control capabilities and its ability to project power over the Strait of Hormuz. Observers are closely monitoring whether this 13th wave signals a transition toward targeting more sensitive inland facilities or if it remains focused on coastal military infrastructure.