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Iran launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. airbases in Jordan and sent dozens of explosive drones toward U.S. forces in the United Arab Emirates early Monday, after U.S. forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island a day earlier.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its Aerospace Force targeted the King Hussein and Azraq airbases in Jordan in a combined missile-and-drone operation.
The strikes hit technical and maintenance infrastructure as well as areas where fighter jets were stationed, the IRGC claimed, describing the damage as "heavy."
In the UAE, Iran’s army reported launching dozens of explosive drones at U.S. troops and helicopters stationed at Al Minhad Air Base, calling it an important logistics and air transport hub.
The Iranian attacks came after U.S. forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, marking the first American strikes on Iranian territory since late July.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that the attack killed and injured several of its fighters and civilians, accusing the U.S. of carrying out an "aggressive" assault on the island in southern Hormozgan province and vowing "punishment of the aggressor."
Hours later, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected the accusation, calling the IRGC’s characterization of the strikes "absolutely false." CENTCOM said U.S. forces had taken "limited, precise action" against IRGC minelaying forces that posed an "imminent threat" in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that preliminary information indicated the U.S. attack was carried out by drones.
The IRGC later reported shooting down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz, saying it was hit by missile fire early Monday before crashing into Gulf waters.
Following the renewed exchange of fire, the IRGC Navy reported that a supertanker attempting to cross the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz on "an illegal route" struck two sea mines, caught fire and was brought to a complete stop.
The force did not identify the vessel or provide details about its crew. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC Navy warned that other ships violating its security regulations could face a similar fate, saying vessels must comply with its rules governing passage through the strategic waterway.
"The passage and navigation regulations issued by the Revolutionary Guards Navy must be followed," the statement said, urging maritime companies not to put their vessels, crews, cargo and lives at unnecessary risk.
Tensions between Tehran and Washington have remained high since the war began with strikes on Iran in late February.
A framework agreement was signed in June through Pakistani and Qatari mediation, but differences over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz later led the U.S. to begin a two-week bombing campaign in July and reimpose the naval blockade.
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