New Iran strikes on Gulf as US attacks escalate: What we know

What Happened

On Monday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed a third round of retaliatory strikes against US targets in the Gulf, saying it launched missile and drone attacks on US military installations and infrastructure in Juffair, Bahrain, and targeted the Sheikh Isa Air Base. The IRGC also claimed it destroyed long-range and vessel-detection radar systems in Oman, struck Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan with missiles and drones, and set fire to HIMARS launchers and missile warehouses at a US base in Kuwait. Jordan’s military confirmed it intercepted four missiles from Iranian territory, and Kuwait’s army engaged hostile aerial targets. Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it struck dozens of Iranian military targets, including air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats, using fighter aircraft, naval vessels, and one-way attack drones—both aerial and sea-launched for the first time. Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor of Khuzestan province, reported US attacks on at least eight locations, with one person killed and four injured in Mahshahr. President Donald Trump insisted the Strait of Hormuz was open, while the IRGC claimed it was closed. The escalation followed an IRGC attack on three commercial vessels off Oman on July 6, citing unauthorized transit through the strait under a now-collapsed June memorandum of understanding.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The direct exchange of strikes between US forces and the IRGC across multiple Gulf states marks a sharp escalation, moving beyond proxy warfare into open attacks on each other’s military assets. Targeting US-allied bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait—alongside radar systems in Oman—expands the geographical scope of the conflict and risks drawing regional governments deeper into hostilities. With both sides contesting control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping chokepoint, the crisis threatens maritime security and energy flows. The collapse of the June MoU and Washington’s ‘maximum pressure’ posture signal that diplomatic off-ramps are narrowing, increasing the likelihood of further cycles of retaliation.

Watch For

Monitor CENTCOM announcements of additional strikes or defensive measures, and IRGC claims of further attacks on US or allied positions. Track vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz for closures or safe-passage disputes, and watch for diplomatic interventions—especially from Oman or other backchannels—to revive a ceasefire or new MoU. Also observe any Iranian naval or drone activity near commercial shipping and the US response under Trump’s reiterated red lines.