The United States military launched a series of strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets on Tuesday, according to US Central Command (Centcom). The operation, which began at 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT), was described by US officials as a response to recent attempts by the IRGC to target American personnel and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media reported that four people, including a young child, were killed when shrapnel from a missile strike impacted a home during a wedding celebration in Sirik. Additional reports indicated explosions in areas including Bandar Abbas, Jiroft, and Qeshm island. US Navy Captain Tim Hawkins stated that the US military does not target civilians, noting that the command was aware of the reports regarding the Sirik incident.

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In retaliation, the IRGC claimed to have launched ballistic missiles at a US Marine base in Aqaba, Jordan. However, the Jordanian Armed Forces reported no casualties or injuries resulting from the attack, and authorities issued warnings regarding falling debris in the Aqaba and Mafraq governorates.

President Donald Trump characterized the US strikes as "large and powerful," warning that any further Iranian retaliation would be met with a significantly harder response. The hostilities follow the expiration of a June Memorandum of Understanding that had previously maintained a ceasefire between the two nations. While the US recently implemented a new sanctions campaign on August 24, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian indicated that Tehran would be willing to reciprocate if the United States returned to the terms of the expired agreement.

Source: BBC News