Tehran/Washington D.C. – Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a series of missile and drone attacks targeting American military installations across the Middle East on Wednesday, in direct retaliation for US strikes ordered by President Donald Trump following the downing of a US Apache helicopter .
The IRGC claimed responsibility for striking 21 American military targets across the region, including facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain . Among the targets was the Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Al-Azraq, Jordan, which reportedly hosts US F-35 fighter jets and other aircraft .
The Trigger: Downed Apache Helicopter
The exchange of fire began after a US Apache helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. President Trump claimed that Iran had shot down the aircraft, though the Associated Press reported that the helicopter went down after colliding with an Iranian drone—it remains unclear whether the collision was intentional .
"The United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack," Trump posted on Truth Social, later describing the US response as "very strong, very powerful" in a telephone interview with ABC News .
US Strikes on Iran
In response to the helicopter incident, US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched strikes on Iranian targets near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The operation, which lasted approximately four hours, targeted Iranian air defence systems, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites on Qeshm Island and in the port cities of Sirik and Jask . Nearly 20 Iranian targets were struck using precision munitions from US Air Force and Navy fighter jets .
Iranian officials reported that the US attacks damaged civilian infrastructure, including a telecommunications tower and two water storage facilities in the Sirik region .
Iranian Retaliation
Hours after the US strikes, the IRGC launched its counteroffensive. According to Iranian state media, the attacks included:
· Long-range missiles targeting four sites at the US Al-Azraq base in Jordan, including F-35 fighter jet hangars and a command-and-control centre
· Drone attacks on the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain
· Drone strikes on the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait
Regional Air Defences Activated
Jordan's armed forces confirmed that they intercepted and shot down five missiles launched from Iran toward the Al-Azraq area. The military stated that debris from the interception fell on Jordanian territory but caused no injuries or significant material damage .
Bahrain activated air defence systems and reported intercepting "a number of Iranian aerial attacks," while the Kuwaiti military confirmed that its air defences were engaging "hostile aerial targets" .
US Assessment of Damage
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that initial assessments showed nearly all missiles and drones launched by Iran were intercepted. The official added that there were no immediate reports of harm to US personnel or known damage to US military locations .
The IRGC separately claimed that its air defences shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Jam County in southern Bushehr province, though this has not been independently confirmed .
Iranian Warnings
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran would leave "no attack or threat unanswered," posting on X that "despite its defeats on the battlefield, the U.S. opted to test our determination" .
The IRGC issued a stark warning to Gulf nations, stating that they bore "legal and moral responsibility" to prevent the US and Israel from using their territories to launch hostile actions against Iran .
"Foreign forces in proximity to our territory are at constant risk," Araghchi added, urging foreign forces to leave the region "as soon as possible" .
International Reactions
The escalation prompted calls for restraint from both Russia and China. A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed "extreme concern" about the renewed US-Iranian confrontation and urged both sides to exercise restraint . China similarly called on the warring parties to "stop intensifying the conflict" and take concrete measures to ease tensions .
Fragile Ceasefire Strained
The exchange represents one of the most significant breaches of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on April 8, 2026 . While both sides had previously characterised their actions as "measured" and "limited," Wednesday's strikes mark a substantial escalation.
The ceasefire had already faced a serious test over the weekend when Iran and Israel briefly resumed attacks before later announcing a halt . The latest US-Iran confrontation casts further doubt on President Trump's repeated claims that negotiations for a lasting settlement are in their "final stages" .
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This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
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