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US, Iran exchange fresh strikes as tensions escalate

Jul. 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Image of US, Iran exchange fresh strikes as tensions escalate Iranian missiles. File photo: AP

The IRGC also announced it targeted several weapons depots and missile platforms, igniting a “huge fire” that reportedly engulfed an American base in Kuwait.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iranian forces on Friday announced strikes on several US military sites across the region, following a wave of American airstrikes on Iranian territory the previous day.

 

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it "targeted and destroyed the naval control radar on the Salameh Rocks and the US air control radar located in the Ghanem region of Oman" in the early hours of Friday as part of what it called "retaliatory operations."

 

The forces also claimed to have carried out a “surprise attack” on Syria’s al-Tanf area, destroying a US special operations command center, as well as a radar system and several helicopters. The Syrian side has yet to confirm the reports.

 

In February, Washington announced the completion of its withdrawal from the al-Tanf base in the desert of southeastern Syria, with the Syrian army taking over the position, situated on the border with Iraq and Jordan.

 

The IRGC also announced it targeted several weapons depots and missile platforms, igniting a “huge fire” that reportedly engulfed an American base in Kuwait.

 

Meanwhile, Qatar's defense ministry said in a Friday statement that it continues to "intercept a number of air attacks" targeting the country.

 

The attacks came in response to a wave of US airstrikes late Thursday targeting vital infrastructure in Iranian territory, including five bridges and several cities, and resulting in dozens of casualties.

 

At least seven individuals were killed in strikes on two bridges in the Hormozgan province, near Bandar Khamir, state media reported on Friday.

 

The port city of Bandar Abbas in the south, Qeshm Island, Bushehr, Iranshahr, the city of Ahvaz in the southwest, and multiple other locations were also targeted.

 

The renewed tit-for-tat strikes started after CENTCOM alleged that Iran had “blatantly attacked” a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week. US forces began striking Iranian military targets early Sunday, hitting around 140 targets in the first wave.

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