Iran has threatened new strikes following the U.S. attack
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to further escalate the situation following a new wave of U.S. strikes on the country. The IRGC stated that it intends to “punish the aggressor,” and that countries supporting Washington will allegedly also face a response.
Iran also declared that it maintains “full control” over the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s key shipping routes for energy resources.
IRGC representatives emphasized that further actions will depend on how the situation develops, while not ruling out new measures in response to the U.S. strikes.
The day before, U.S. forces completed a “massive wave” of strikes against Iran in response to missile attacks on U.S. troops in the region. Over the course of two hours, the U.S. struck dozens of IRGC targets, including military command centers, missile and drone production facilities, and coastal defense systems.
The attacks came after the Iranian military fired ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf region on Tuesday. Jordan’s air defense system intercepted five missiles.
The sudden attack broke the pattern in which Iran had previously only responded to U.S. strikes, indicating Tehran’s readiness to resume hostilities, noted Seth Krummrich of Global Guardian. According to him, critical civilian infrastructure—airports, power grids, desalination plants, and energy facilities in the Gulf states—could once again become targets for Tehran.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that a protracted conflict risks drawing in the wider region.
Source: CNBC
Iran has reached an agreement with China to supply up to 400 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to strengthen its air defense system, according to Reuters.
Following an attack on one of its merchant ships in the Caspian Sea, Iran considered launching a symbolic missile strike against one of Ukraine’s seaports. However, Tehran ultimately abandoned this plan following diplomatic talks with Western partners and Ukraine.
As a reminder, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi following Tehran’s statements about possible strikes on Ukraine.
Earlier, Tehran accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian vessel at Israel’s behest.
On the night of July 29, Iran launched a missile strike on one of the U.S. military bases in the Middle East. This was the first attack since the parties announced last week that they would cease mutual strikes.
