US-Iran military tension escalates: Iran announces it struck 85 American bases

Military tension between the United States and Iran has escalated to a new and dangerous dimension through mutual retaliatory attacks. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran officially announced that, in retaliation for prior US attacks, it targeted 85 American military facilities located in Bahrain and Kuwait using missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. It was reported that during the attacks, the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the command centers and military infrastructure belonging to the US 5th Fleet stationed in Bahrain were struck. This development has caused great concern, as it demonstrates the complete collapse of the minutes of agreement and ceasefire conditions reached between the two countries. This conflict, which also involves regional actors as parties, carries the risk of turning into a large-scale war encompassing the entire Middle East geography.

Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated in a harsh statement from his social media account that the US has violated the agreements reached with Iran in numerous areas. Ghalibaf listed the non-compliance with Iranian regulations in the Strait of Hormuz, the constant new threats of attack, the reimposition of oil sanctions, and the attacks directed towards southern Iran among these violations. Furthermore, Ghalibaf, evaluating the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon as a part of these violations, emphasized that Iran will not remain silent to all these developments. The Tehran administration wants these steps to be interpreted as a clear indication that diplomatic routes have been blocked. Iranian officials argue that Washington's policies of blackmail and bullying will no longer yield results and that Iran will not submit.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also characterized the US striking military targets in Iran as an overt act of aggression. In the statement made by the IRGC, it was emphasized that an overwhelming response would be given to the US's aggressive actions, stating that Iran will not allow any external intervention regarding the administration of the Strait of Hormuz. The statement also reminded that the only safe route for commercial ships and oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz is the one determined by Iran. This statement is of critical importance in showing how determined Iran is regarding the security of the strait, which is the heart of global oil supply. International maritime authorities have repeatedly warned that such military threats are of a magnitude that will directly affect world trade.

This latest wave of conflict between the parties is based on retaliatory operations initiated by the claim that the US military targeted three commercial ships passing through Iran's Strait of Hormuz. In a statement made by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), it was stated that over 80 military targets belonging to Iran were struck on this pretext and that the latest wave of retaliation was successfully completed. Washington tried to legitimize this operation by arguing that it aimed to ensure the security of international maritime trade. However, Tehran considered this US step a violation of the ceasefire, forming a pretext for its own military operations. Both sides viewing each other's steps as legitimate intervention paves the way for the conflict to deepen further.

These developments have caused massive panic in global energy markets and diplomatic circles. Any disruption to the flow of oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz could cause energy prices to skyrocket globally and lead to a global economic shock. The international community is making urgent calls to establish a permanent ceasefire in the region and to restart negotiations. However, the fact that both sides maintain their military rhetoric and harsh statements weakens hopes that a diplomatic solution could be possible in the short term. Increasing indications that the Middle East is on the brink of a new war have put all countries around the world on high alert.