Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that any country assisting the United States in its ongoing military campaign against the Islamic Republic will face "harsh consequences," as Washington launched a fresh wave of attacks targeting Iranian territory.

In a statement issued Thursday, the IRGC said two oil tankers attempted to transit the "unsafe southern route" of the Strait of Hormuz after being encouraged by US military aircraft to bypass Iran's designated maritime corridor.

According to the IRGC, one of the vessels caught fire during the incident, forcing both tankers to reverse course.

"The Strait of Hormuz is our territory, and the brave men of the IRGC Navy maintain full control over it. No outsider that has traveled thousands of kilometers to this region will be allowed to dictate security or interfere in our waters," the statement said.

The Guards emphasized that Iran would continue defending its sovereignty and maritime rights against what it described as illegal US military interference.

The IRGC also issued a stern warning to governments it said were facilitating the US military campaign against Iran.

"Countries involved in assisting the aggressor, if they do not correct their behavior, will face a harsh response," the statement declared.

The Guards stressed that stability in the Strait of Hormuz depends on an end to what they described as Washington's provocative policies.

"The Strait of Hormuz cannot return to normal as long as US officials continue their excessive threats and unlawful interference in maritime navigation. Continued intervention will only make the situation more difficult and more dangerous," the statement added.

The warning came after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a new round of overnight strikes against multiple locations across Iran, further escalating tensions despite recent diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing hostilities.

Iranian media reported that several cities in southern Iran came under attack, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Bushehr, and parts of Khuzestan Province.

One of the deadliest attacks reportedly struck a residential home on Qeshm Island, where Iranian officials said a two-year-old child and both parents were killed, while several others, including children, were wounded.

Emergency crews and rescue teams were deployed to the scene as authorities condemned what they described as another attack on civilians.

Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that the country's Armed Forces will continue to respond decisively to what they describe as repeated violations of Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most strategically important waterways, and Iranian officials maintain that ensuring its security is the responsibility of regional countries rather than outside powers.

Tehran has consistently argued that the growing US military presence in the Persian Gulf has heightened regional instability, warning that continued military escalation and foreign intervention risk widening the conflict across West Asia. (ILKHA)