Tehran: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday claimed responsibility for an early-morning strike targeting an American military base, following what Tehran described as a US aerial attack near Bandar Abbas Airport.
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC said in a statement that the strike was launched after “the invading American army” carried out a pre-dawn attack using aerial projectiles against a location on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas Airport.
“The American airbase, as the origin of the aggression, was targeted at 4:50 a.m.,” the statement said. However, the IRGC did not disclose the location or further operational details of the alleged strike.
The latest escalation comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran in and around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier on Thursday, Iranian media reported an exchange of fire between Iranian and US forces near the waterway. Tehran claimed that Iranian naval units confronted vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without prior coordination with Iranian authorities.
Tasnim, citing an informed military source, reported that the IRGC Navy opened fire on a US tanker that had allegedly attempted to transit the strait after switching off its radar system. According to the report, US forces later responded by firing toward “a scorched area around Bandar Abbas.”
“The sound of the explosions was related to this incident,” Tasnim reported, adding that there were no casualties or significant property damage.
In a separate report, the agency said Iranian naval forces intercepted four vessels attempting to enter the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz without authorization. After the ships allegedly ignored repeated warnings, Iranian forces reportedly fired warning shots, forcing the vessels to retreat.
Meanwhile, CBS News, citing a US official, reported that American forces carried out another round of strikes on Iran on Wednesday local time. The official described the operation as “defensive” and aimed at preserving a fragile ceasefire between the two countries.
According to the report, US forces shot down four Iranian drones and targeted a ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was allegedly preparing to launch a fifth drone. The drones were said to pose a potential threat near the Strait of Hormuz.
“These actions were measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire,” the US official told CBS News.
Despite the latest exchange, the official added that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran was still considered intact.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reiterated his administration’s position that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, while expressing confidence in ongoing ceasefire efforts.
“Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. I’m doing that for the world, not just for us,” Trump said, adding that the Strait of Hormuz would remain “open to everybody” as part of broader ceasefire negotiations.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes, carrying a significant share of global oil shipments, and any escalation in the region continues to raise international security and economic concerns.