By Desmond Nleya
TEHRAN, IRAN – 11 June 2026 — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced the launch of retaliatory military strikes against United States forces stationed across the Middle East, targeting military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan following fresh US attacks on Iranian territory.
According to Iranian state media, the strikes were ordered in response to overnight operations by the United States military. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it had conducted attacks against multiple targets inside Iran, describing the operation as an act of “self-defence”.
The latest escalation comes after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington was prepared to intensify military action against Tehran, accusing Iran of delaying negotiations over a potential agreement.
“They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them; now they will have to pay the price,” Trump said.
Iranian media reported explosions and military activity in several locations across the country, including the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Sirik, Minab and areas near Karaj west of Tehran.
In a move that could have significant implications for global energy markets, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that the country’s military has ordered the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, including commercial ships and oil tankers. The waterway is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, handling a substantial share of global crude exports.
Meanwhile, regional instability continued to deepen as Israeli military operations in Lebanon persisted. Multiple casualties were reported following strikes in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. According to local reports, the cumulative death toll from Israeli bombardments since March has reached 3,696.
The rapidly expanding conflict has raised fears of a broader regional war involving multiple states and armed groups, with international observers warning that further escalation could threaten global security and disrupt international energy supplies.
