US conducts 'self-defense strikes' on Iranian radar, drone command sites
What's the story
The United States conducted "self-defense strikes" on Iranian radar and drone command-and-control sites in Goruk, Iran, and Qeshm Island. The operation was carried out by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) over the weekend. "The measured and deliberate strikes occurred on Saturday and Sunday in response to aggressive Iranian actions that included the shootdown of a US MQ-1 drone that was operating over international waters," CENTCOM said in a statement.
Military response
'Swiftly destroyed'
In its statement, CENTCOM said that "measured and deliberate strikes" were conducted on Saturday and Sunday. The US fighter aircraft responded "swiftly" by destroying Iranian air defense systems, a ground control station, and two one-way attack drones. These were assessed as posing "clear threats" to ships transiting regional waters. No American service members were harmed in these strikes, it added.
Continued commitment
Tensions between US and Iran escalate
CENTCOM reiterated its commitment to protecting US assets and interests in the region amid ongoing tensions during the ceasefire period. On Monday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have bombed a US air base involved in an attack on southern Iran but did not specify which one. Air defenses in Kuwait, home to a large US base, intercepted missile and drone attacks on Monday as sirens rang across the country, state news agency KUNA reported, without providing further details.
Fars
IRGC claims to have targeted US airbase
However, Iran's Fars news agency reported that the IRGC targeted an airbase that was used for an attack on a telecoms tower on Sirik Island after the US strikes. "Following the aggression of the US army on a communication tower on Sirik Island in Hormozgan Province an hour ago, the IRGC Aerospace Force fighters targeted the airbase where the aggression originated, and the predicted targets were destroyed," the IRGC is reported to have said.