A US Air Force B-1 strategic bomber struck Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran overnight, according to US officials cited by Axios. The bomber departed from a base in the United Kingdom, marking the first US B-1 operation since the campaign against Iran resumed 12 days ago.
A US Air Force B-1 strategic bomber struck Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets inside Iran overnight, according to US officials quoted by Axios. The bomber took off from a base in the United Kingdom, the report said, and the operation is described as the first B-1 mission since the US resumed its campaign against Iran 12 days ago. Flight data from the bomber appeared on publicly available tracking sites.
The overnight strike follows a series of reports on Wednesday, July 22, at 06:59 Jerusalem, confirming that the US had already deployed B-1 bombers in the campaign. Initial reports, citing a single American official, indicated a B-1B Lancer had participated in strikes on Tuesday. By Wednesday morning, multiple US officials and sources had confirmed that B-1 bombers were used in Tuesday's operations, with senior officials telling Axios and other outlets that the heavy bombers had struck IRGC targets. The Zioneer reported on the intensification of the air campaign, noting that B-1 bombers capable of carrying two dozen 2,000-pound bombs or dozens of cruise missiles had been deployed.
The new strike marks the first confirmed B-1 operation from a UK base since the campaign began. The Zioneer has reported extensively on the US campaign, including strikes on IRGC facilities in Shiraz, Rask, and other locations, as well as Iranian retaliatory claims. The US has maintained a relentless pace of operations, with the 12th consecutive night of strikes reported earlier this week.
The specific targets of the overnight strike, damage assessment, and any immediate Iranian response remain unconfirmed beyond the US official account. No independent verification has been reported.
16 developments
- DevelopingOSINT sources: US aircraft concentration over Persian Gulf indicates imminent Iran strikes
- StrongNew York Post: US stations two aircraft carriers in Gulf of Oman as pressure on Iran grows
- StrongReport: Four US Navy vessels deployed in Gulf as part of 'naval siege on Iran'
- ConfirmedUS plans to deploy roughly 100 aerial refueling aircraft to Israel, security source says
Source and signal
- Internal intake