Iran’s elite military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said on Sunday that it carried out missile and drone strikes targeting three United States military bases in the Middle East. The claims were reported by the semi-official Iranian news outlet Fars News Agency.
According to the report, the IRGC stated that its forces struck what it described as a “gathering center of US forces” located at the Al-Harir Air Base near the city of Erbil. The Iranian military also claimed it targeted two additional American installations, the Ali Al Salem Air Base and the Camp Arifjan, using what it described as powerful missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The IRGC said the strikes formed part of the 52nd wave of its ongoing military campaign known as “Operation True Promise 4.” According to the statement released through Fars News Agency, the operation was launched as retaliation for what Iranian authorities described as attacks that killed workers in industrial zones within Iranian territory.
In the statement, the IRGC declared that the latest strikes were intended to respond directly to what it considers aggression by the United States and its regional allies. Iranian officials have repeatedly accused Washington and its partners of conducting military actions that threaten Iran’s sovereignty and national security.
The statement also contained a direct warning aimed at Benjamin Netanyahu. The IRGC threatened that if the Israeli leader were “still alive,” Iranian forces would continue pursuing and attempting to kill him.
The threat came amid a wave of speculation circulating on social media suggesting that Netanyahu had been assassinated during Iranian retaliatory operations following earlier strikes involving Israel and the United States.
However, the office of the Israeli prime minister quickly dismissed those claims as false. Officials from Netanyahu’s office told reporters that the reports circulating online were “fake news” and confirmed that the prime minister was safe.
The statement from the Israeli government sought to quell misinformation that had spread rapidly online following the latest round of Iranian missile attacks.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground in Israel also showed signs of the escalating conflict. According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, two people were lightly injured in the city of Holon after ballistic missiles were fired toward the region on Sunday.
Emergency responders reportedly treated the injured individuals at the scene, while authorities assessed damage to surrounding infrastructure.
The latest developments come against the backdrop of a rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East that has intensified since late February. Regional tensions surged after Israel and the United States launched a joint military operation against Iranian targets on February 28.
The strikes targeted facilities and infrastructure within Iran and were widely described by Western officials as part of efforts to curb Iran’s military capabilities and strategic influence in the region.
Iranian authorities say the attacks caused significant casualties and damage. According to Iranian reports, at least 1,300 people were killed during the strikes, including Iran’s then-Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
The killing of Khamenei marked one of the most dramatic developments in the conflict and triggered widespread condemnation from Iranian officials, who vowed swift and forceful retaliation.
In response to the attacks, Tehran has launched multiple waves of missile and drone strikes targeting locations across the region. Iranian forces have aimed their attacks at Israeli territory as well as at countries hosting American military installations.
Targets reportedly include areas in Jordan, Iraq and several Gulf states where United States forces maintain bases and logistical operations.
The growing confrontation has also disrupted key sectors of the global economy. Military exchanges and threats to regional shipping routes have caused volatility in international oil markets, with energy prices fluctuating sharply as investors monitor developments.
Air travel across parts of the Middle East has also been affected, with airlines rerouting flights or temporarily suspending services due to security concerns and airspace restrictions.
Governments around the world have expressed concern that the conflict could widen further if hostilities continue to escalate.
Diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions have intensified, with international organizations and several world leaders calling for restraint and renewed negotiations.
Despite these calls, both sides have continued to exchange threats and military strikes, raising fears of a broader regional conflict that could involve multiple countries.
Analysts warn that further attacks on US military installations or Israeli territory could trigger additional retaliation, increasing the risk of a prolonged confrontation across the Middle East.
For now, the situation remains highly volatile as military forces across the region maintain heightened alert levels and governments monitor developments closely.
The coming days are expected to be critical in determining whether diplomatic efforts can prevent the conflict from escalating into a larger regional war.
