In a statement issued by the IRGC Public Relations Department, the force said its naval and aerospace units conducted a joint missile and drone operation against US military facilities in Salman Port, the Fifth Naval Region of Bahrain, and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
The IRGC also announced that it had downed a US MQ-9 drone that was attempting to interfere with the operation.
The statement came hours after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had carried out a series of “powerful strikes” against Iran.
IRGC operation, US attacks on southern Iran
The IRGC said the US attacks targeted several coastal bases and civillian locations in Hormozgan and Khuzestan provinces in the early hours of the morning.
The force said the attacks came as millions participated in the funeral procession and farewell ceremonies for Iran’s martyred leader, accusing Washington of violating agreements and undermining the Islamabad Memorandum.
The IRGC said the US attacks followed the global impact of the large-scale funeral ceremonies, which it said represented a defeat for Washington.
The announcement followed reports of explosions near Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Sirik in southern Iran. Iranian media reported that strikes in Sirik targeted a commercial pier and fishing port, with several people wounded by shrapnel.
Gulf states activate air defenses amid escalation
The IRGC announcement came amid heightened security measures across the Gulf.
Kuwait’s military announced that it was responding to missile and drone attacks, while reports and footage showed the activation of air defense systems in Bahrain.
The escalation follows a series of developments across the region, including Iran’s condemnation of the US decision to reinstate sanctions on Iranian oil.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Washington’s revocation of the temporary sanctions waiver violated Article 10 of the Islamabad Memorandum and demonstrated “bad faith, instability, and unreliability” by the US administration.
The ministry warned that the United States would bear responsibility for the consequences of breaching the agreement and said Tehran would take measures necessary to protect its national interests and security.
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The Most Revolutionary Act 