---
title: "Large-scale exchange of strikes: US attacks Iranian targets, Tehran retaliates against bases in the Persian Gulf"
description: "🔥 Escalation in the Persian Gulf: The US launched a series of strikes on Iranian ports and military targets, as well as destroyed a tanker that violated the blockade. In response, Tehran attacked bases of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and Kuwait. 🇺🇸🇮🇷"
date: 2026-07-16T10:16:54.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/large-scale-exchange-of-strikes-us-attacks-iranian-targets-tehran-retaliates
tags: [iran, usa, persian-gulf, centcom, jd-vance]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Large-scale exchange of strikes: US attacks Iranian targets, Tehran retaliates against bases in the Persian Gulf

![Nighttime missile attack on military bases in the Persian Gulf, explosions and smoke rising over the facility](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/16/s-ia-nanesli-udary-po-iranu-otvet-tegerana-po-bazam-v-zalive/s-ia-nanesli-udary-po-iranu-otvet-tegerana-po-bazam-v-zalive-1.webp)

The situation in the Persian Gulf has sharply escalated. On Thursday, July 16, the US military conducted a large-scale operation, launching two waves of strikes against Iranian military and infrastructure targets. In response, Tehran attacked US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, leading to the partial closure of airspace in the region.

### Two waves of attacks on Iranian infrastructure

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation. The first wave of strikes focused on port areas. The US Air Force attacked facilities in the port of Sirik, located on the strategically important coast of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Iranian Mehr news agency, there were also three air strikes on the major port of Bandar Abbas. In the area of Kish Island, a fishmeal production plant was damaged as a result of the strike.

Iranian sources report explosions in other regions: in the city of Ahvaz (Khuzestan province), as well as in the city of Rasak and the port of Kenarak (Sistan and Baluchestan province).

### Strikes on air defense and the destruction of a tanker

During the second wave, according to CENTCOM data, US troops struck command posts, air defense facilities, missile and drone systems, as well as coastal surveillance assets. The goal of the operation was to further weaken Iran's ability to threaten commercial ship crews.

A separate incident was the destruction of an oil tanker. The commercial vessel M/T Belma, flying the flag of Curaçao, attempted to breach the naval blockade and enter an Iranian port. After the crew ignored warnings, a US military aircraft disabled the ship by firing Hellfire missiles at its smokestack. The blockade of ships heading to Iranian ports was resumed on July 14.

### Tehran's response and regional reaction

Iran did not remain passive. According to the Iranian publication IRIB, at least 10 explosions were heard at the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. The Mehr agency also reports explosions at the US base in Kuwait. Amidst the escalation of tensions, Saudi Arabia and Jordan partially closed their airspace.

Furthermore, Iranian media claim that the air defense forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down a US MQ9 drone.

### Washington's position

US Vice President JD Vance commented on the situation in The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. He acknowledged that the process would be difficult and full of pauses, but is convinced that events are developing in the right direction. According to Vance, the US is currently using a combination of economic pressure and negotiations with pragmatic representatives of the Iranian leadership.