Iran’s IRGC says it launched missile and drone strikes on US military bases in Jordan in retaliation

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC said it launched a combined missile and drone attack on US military bases in Jordan on Monday describing the operation as retaliation for USIsraeli aerial strikes on Irans Larak Island the previous nightThe reported attack marked another escalation in the conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz a strategically important waterway where tensions have remained high amid months of military exchanges between Iran the United States and IsraelThe IRGC said it targeted military infrastructure and areas where fighter jets were stationed at bases in Jordan while Iranian media reported that the operation caused heavy damage There was no immediate independent confirmation of the Iranian claimsIRGC says military infrastructure and aircraft areas were targetedAccording to Irans Fars news agency which cited an IRGC statement Iranian forces targeted technical and maintenance infrastructure as well as areas where enemy fighter jets were stationed at the King Hussein and AlAzraq US bases in JordanIran claimed the strikes inflicted heavy damage although the extent of any destruction or casualties was not immediately independently verifiedldquoAggression and crimes will not solve the enemyrsquos desperation in attempting to weaken the Islamic Republicrsquos control over the Strait of Hormuz and every attack will be met with even more devastating responsesrdquo the IRGC said in its statementThe attack followed a US operation against two IRGC rocket launchers on Larak Island located near the Strait of HormuzUS says Iranian forces were preparing to launch rocketsUS Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins said American forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island on SundayThe operation marked the first known US strike against Iran since late July according to the US militaryIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into Strait of Hormuz Hawkins said in a statementHe added that the US military was monitoring the area closely and remains prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through the strategically important waterwayThe Strait of Hormuz remains one of the worlds most important shipping routes making any military activity near the passage a major concern for regional security and international tradeIran reports casualties in attack on Larak IslandThe IRGC said several military personnel and civilians were killed or wounded in what it described as a USIsraeli attack on Larak Island in Hormozgan province on Sunday nightIn a separate statement published by its official news outlet Sepah News the IRGC vowed that the attack would be met with punishment for the aggressorIranian authorities did not immediately release a confirmed casualty figureHowever citing unofficial reports Irans semiofficial Tasnim news agency said at least two people were killed and two others were injured in what it described as a US drone attack on the islandThe circumstances surrounding the reported casualties and the nature of the strikes could not immediately be independently verifiedLarak Island lies near strategic Strait of HormuzLarak Island is a small Iranian island off the coast of Bandar Abbas located east of Qeshm Island and south of Hormuz IslandIts position near the Strait of Hormuz places it close to one of the worlds most strategically significant maritime routes The waterway has become a major source of leverage and confrontation during the wider conflict with military activity and threats to commercial shipping raising concerns about the safety of vessels passing through the regionThe US has said its recent military operations in the area are intended to prevent attacks on international shipping and protect the movement of commercial vessels through the straitIran however has accused Washington and Israel of carrying out aggression against its territory and has repeatedly threatened a stronger military response to further attacksLatest exchange raises risk of wider regional escalationThe reported Iranian missile and drone operation in Jordan and the US strikes on Larak Island indicate a renewed escalation after weeks of relatively limited direct military actionIrans claim that it targeted US military bases could also increase concerns about a broader regional spillover particularly as neighbouring countries host American military personnel and infrastructureWith inputs from IANS