US Resumes Military Strikes on IRGC Targets in Iran Following Ceasefire Expiration

United States military forces resumed strikes against targets in Iran on Tuesday, following accusations that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American personnel in the region. According to a statement from US Central Command (Centcom), the strikes against IRGC positions commenced at 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT).

Iranian state media reported that one of the strikes near Sirik in southern Iran struck a wedding party, resulting in four deaths, including a four-year-old child, and injuring 50 people. Additional impacts were reported in Chabahar, Konarak, and an airport in Jiroft, with explosions also heard on Qeshm island and in Bandar Abbas.

IRGC Retaliates and US Issues Escalation Warnings

In response to the actions, the IRGC warned that Washington would regret the strikes and announced the launch of retaliatory missile and drone attacks aimed at American bases and regional interests. Iranian news agencies reported that a barrage of ballistic missiles was fired at a US Marine base in Aqaba, Jordan. Following the launch, Jordan's state-affiliated Al-Mamlaka network stated that the national security centre alerted residents in Aqaba and Mafraq governates to falling debris, though the warning was later lifted.

US President Donald Trump stated that Tuesday's actions were a response to Iranian targeting of a US military base in Jordan, adding that Tehran had failed in an effort to deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump warned that Iran would face further strikes at a "much harder and higher level" if it continued to retaliate, noting that a larger-scale attack was prepared.

Background of the Strait of Hormuz Conflict

The recent military activity follows initial US strikes earlier in the week on two rocket launchers on Larak Island, which marked the first reported US strikes in Iran since late July. Tehran previously responded to those attacks by targeting air bases in Jordan with missiles and directing a drone at the United Arab Emirates.

Direct conflict escalated on February 28 when US and Israeli forces conducted wide-ranging strikes against Iran. Iranian forces countered by targeting Israel, US bases, and Gulf allies, while effectively shutting down marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire agreement, formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding signed in June, has since expired, leading to the renewed outbreak of hostilities. Both nations have engaged shipping in the region, with Iran targeting vessels navigating the Strait without permission and the US enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Sanctions and Diplomatic Stance

Along with military operations, Washington announced a new campaign of sanctions on August 24 designed to isolate Iran and broaden secondary sanctions on its allies. While Iranian state media and officials previously characterized the economic sanctions as a continuation of prior policies following past US military actions, diplomatic avenues remain noted. On Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was quoted by state media as stating that if the United States returned to fulfilling its commitments under the previous agreement, Iran would respond in kind.