Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities announced on Friday that US airstrikes had targeted a major Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval command center in the northern province of Gilan, according to state media. Gilan Deputy Governor Ali Bagheri stated, “The IRGC Navy headquarters in the Zibaknar area was targeted this morning by American enemy bombs, causing material damage to some of the equipment in the complex,” as reported by the official Iranian news agency IRNA.
The 13th night of continuous US airstrikes
This attack comes as the US military launched a new and intensified round of strikes against various Iranian military targets on Thursday evening. In this context, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that it had “begun a new round of strikes against Iranian military targets.” Its statement also noted that this marked “the 13th consecutive night of strikes aimed at holding Iran accountable and deterring its ongoing threats to commercial shipping” in vital waterways.
These rapid developments on the ground coincide with Tehran’s vow to continue its missile and drone attacks as long as US military operations continue. At the same time, regional and international concerns have grown regarding the potential for a wider confrontation and the threat to stability and maritime navigation in the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Red Sea.
Air defenses activated and explosions reported in several cities
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported the activation of air defense systems in the capital, Tehran, to counter what they described as a “hostile threat.” This coincided with reports of loud explosions in several key areas and cities across the country. These included Ahvaz in Khuzestan province, and the cities of Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Konarak, and Chabahar. The explosions also affected the Sirik region, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian news agency Tasnim also reported a direct US missile strike targeting Qeshm Island, located near the strait, as part of ongoing military pressure aimed at neutralizing Iran’s naval and missile capabilities.
