The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement claiming the United States is currently striking several military installations inside Iran. The IRGC said it will respond with missile attacks against enemy military targets in the region in the coming hours. The claims are unverified.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement early Wednesday claiming that the United States is currently attacking multiple military installations inside Iran, and vowed to respond with missile strikes against enemy military targets in the region "in the coming hours." The statement comes after a night of reported American strikes on southern Iran, including the port city of Bandar Abbas, which the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said were intended to "exact a heavy price" for Iranian attacks on merchant ships.
The Zioneer has been tracking the unfolding strikes since the first reports at Wed 00:10 Jerusalem. Initial unverified reports described explosions in Bandar Abbas and other southern cities. By 00:10, CENTCOM confirmed it had conducted strikes in Iran in response to a vessel attack in the Strait of Hormuz. Subsequent reports at 00:10 described fires at the IRGC Air Force base in Bandar Abbas, fast boats ablaze at the port, and footage purportedly showing the strikes. The IRGC's own statements earlier in the week had focused on readiness and threats of retaliation, but had not alleged that an attack was already underway. The current claim represents a marked escalation in rhetoric, directly accusing the US of ongoing offensive action on Iranian soil.
As The Zioneer reported on June 11, the IRGC had previously threatened to "land a decisive blow against American sources of fire operating from Israel" and announced readiness for expected US strikes. The IRGC's pattern of statements has evolved from preparation to threat to now claiming an active attack. The authenticity of the reported US strikes on Iranian territory is supported by CENTCOM's confirmation and multiple visual sources, though the specific locations and extent of damage remain unverified. The IRGC's vow of retaliation may signal a new phase in the confrontation.
It remains unclear what basis the IRGC has for its claim that the US is currently striking multiple installations, and whether the promised missile retaliation will be carried out. The credibility of the IRGC's statements has been inconsistent throughout the crisis, as earlier claims of hitting 18 American targets were unverified.
8 developments
- DevelopingIRGC announces readiness for expected US strikes, vows immediate response
- StrongIRGC vows 'decisive and swift' response to anticipated US strikes
- StrongIRGC: 'We do not betray our allies; the response is on the way'
- DevelopingIRGC warns response to ceasefire violations will be 'more severe than the last'
Source and signal
- Internal intake