TEHRAN: Iran has launched retaliatory missile strikes targeting US military facilities in the Gulf region following recent American attacks, while announcing the indefinite closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it targeted US military installations at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan using multiple ballistic missiles. The IRGC said its Aerospace Force struck the base’s command and control center as well as hangars housing MQ-9 drones.
The escalation has heightened tensions across the Middle East, with reports of missile activity in several Gulf countries. Bahrain confirmed that warning sirens had been activated, while the United Arab Emirates said its air defense systems were intercepting missiles and drones launched from Iran.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defense also said it had successfully intercepted a missile targeting the country, preventing any reported damage.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz until further notice. The IRGC said a vessel attempting to pass through an unauthorized route was met with warning fire and declared that no ships would be allowed to transit the waterway until further orders.
The Revolutionary Guards warned that any attempt by hostile forces to exploit the situation would be met with a “decisive response.”
The latest developments mark a significant escalation in regional tensions following the recent US strikes on Iran and raise concerns over global energy supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
