The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced in the early hours of Sunday that it had carried out a large-scale retaliatory operation targeting major American military installations across the Persian Gulf region in response to recent US attacks on Iranian territory.

In an official statement, the IRGC said its Naval Force and Aerospace Force jointly conducted a coordinated missile and drone campaign between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. local time, striking eight strategic US military facilities.

According to the statement, the operation targeted key American military positions, including Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet at Naval Support Activity Bahrain in the port city of Salman. The IRGC said the designated targets sustained heavy damage and were effectively neutralized.

Iranian military officials described the operation as a legitimate and measured response to recent American strikes against Iranian coastal infrastructure.

The IRGC accused Washington of violating previous understandings and escalating tensions through attacks on five Iranian coastal sites. The United States had attempted to justify those strikes by citing maritime security concerns and incidents related to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, however, rejected the American narrative and emphasized that safeguarding navigation and ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz fall within the framework of Iran's recognized responsibilities under regional agreements.

Iranian officials argued that Washington's actions represented a dangerous attempt to interfere in regional affairs and undermine established understandings aimed at preserving stability in the Persian Gulf.

The IRGC stressed that the operation demonstrated Iran's readiness and capability to respond decisively to any threat against its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In its statement, the Guard Corps warned that any future military aggression by the United States—regardless of the scale or justification presented—would trigger a far more severe response.

The statement further emphasized that any violation of ceasefire arrangements or diplomatic understandings would be regarded as a direct breach of the first clause of the Islamabad Memorandum, which serves as the basis for current de-escalation efforts.

Iranian officials stated that continued violations by Washington could lead to the suspension of all commitments linked to the memorandum, placing responsibility for any resulting escalation squarely on the United States.

Political observers in Tehran described the operation as a clear message that Iran will not tolerate attacks on its territory and will respond forcefully to attempts to challenge its sovereignty.

The latest developments underscore the growing tensions in the Persian Gulf, where Iran has repeatedly maintained that regional security must be ensured by the countries of the region themselves, free from foreign intervention and military pressure.

Iranian authorities reiterated that while the Islamic Republic remains committed to stability and diplomacy, it reserves the right to defend its people, territory, and strategic interests against any act of aggression. (ILKHA)