U.S. forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets inside Iran on Monday at 12 p.m. ET, following attempted IRGC attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and on American troops in the region, U.S. Central Command confirmed.
“Today at 12 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran,” CENTCOM said in a post on X. “The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region.”
President Donald Trump confirmed the operation on Truth Social, describing the strikes as retaliation for an Iranian attempt to plant sea mines in the strait and for a missile attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan.
“The United States is, as we speak, striking Iranian Targets near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes are large and powerful, and in retaliation for the Iranians’ failed attempt at adding sea mines to the Strait, which currently has no mines (They have been completely removed or detonated!), and the Iranians shooting eight missiles, all successfully knocked down, at our Military Base in Jordan.”
According to Axios, the strikes are part of a broader plan Trump and his senior aides have weighed in recent days: limited operations in the Strait of Hormuz meant to stop Iran from rebuilding the radar and missile systems it would need to threaten ships passing through the waterway. A U.S. official told the outlet the goal is to “reduce the risk” that Iran targets not just oil tankers but U.S. Navy ships and Air Force aircraft as well.
The exchange of fire has been building for days. U.S. forces had struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island after IRGC personnel were spotted preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the strait. The IRGC responded by firing ballistic missiles and drones at two U.S.-operated air bases in Jordan.
Trump has said he has ruled out using a nuclear weapon against Iran. Asked by a reporter on Monday about the option, he pushed back on the premise.
“They’re totally defeated militarily, so now I defeat them and now I should use a nuclear weapon on top of them?”
