Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced targeted strikes on US military positions across the region, directly responding to provocative American air assaults on Iranian coastal areas.

The IRGC described the action as a measured and necessary retaliation against ongoing US-Israeli aggression, which continues to destabilize the Middle East while Palestinian resistance persists against occupation.

According to the IRGC statement, the US attacks on Iran's coastline were launched under the false pretext of maritime incidents in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials emphasized that Washington has flagrantly violated its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Article 5 of the agreement explicitly requires coordination with Iran on maritime monitoring and safe navigation through the vital waterway, a provision the US has disregarded in its latest escalation.

The IRGC further connected these developments to Israel's repeated violations of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon, underscoring the interconnected nature of imperialist interventions that threaten the Axis of Resistance. From Gaza to Lebanon and now Iran's shores, the pattern of aggression by the US and its Zionist ally remains clear: attempts to weaken forces standing in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation.

"The IRGC Navy has delivered an appropriate and calibrated response by striking US military sites," the statement read. "Any further American attacks will invite a significantly broader and more powerful retaliation. We remain fully prepared to defend Iranian territory and the interests of the resistance across the region.

"This escalation follows US Central Command (CENTCOM) claims that it targeted Iranian military assets after accusing Tehran of involvement in an incident with a commercial vessel. However, Iranian media reported explosions near the southern port city of Sirik, attributing them to warning shots fired at vessels in the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions. Many observers view the US narrative as a familiar pretext to justify aggression against a nation that has consistently supported Palestinian rights and opposed Israeli expansionism.

Iran's actions come at a time when the Palestinian people continue to endure occupation and blockade, with regional actors like Hezbollah in Lebanon facing similar Israeli ceasefire breaches. Analysts note that US military posturing in the Gulf serves not only Israeli interests but also seeks to punish any state that dares challenge the status quo of hegemony and support for the Palestinian cause.

Tehran has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to peace and stability in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global energy chokepoint — provided its sovereignty and the rights of resistance movements are respected. As tensions rise, the IRGC's warning serves as a clear message: attempts to bully Iran or fracture the regional front supporting Palestine will be met with resolve.

The international community, particularly voices advocating for Palestinian justice, will be watching closely to see whether Washington chooses de-escalation or risks a wider confrontation that could further empower the forces of resistance. (ILKHA)