Iran vows to 'punish the aggressor today' after US strikes IRGC targets, says state media

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have vowed to "punish the aggressor today" following recent US strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets, according to Iranian state media, signalling a fresh escalation in tensions between Tehran and Washington, reported Reuters.

The warning came after the US military said it carried out a "heavy wave of strikes" against dozens of IRGC targets across Iran on Wednesday (local time), claiming the operation was launched in response to an attempted Iranian ballistic missile attack on American forces in West Asia.

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According to a statement issued by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were completed at 10 p.m. ET on July 29 and targeted IRGC military command centres, missile and drone facilities, coastal surveillance and defence sites, as well as maritime capabilities.

The operation was intended to "further diminish threats posed by Iran and its proxies to American forces, commercial shipping, and neighboring Gulf countries," CENTCOM said.

The US military claimed the strikes followed what it described as an attempted surprise attack by IRGC forces, which allegedly launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran at US forces stationed in West Asia a day earlier.

"All Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted," CENTCOM said.

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Earlier, CENTCOM announced the operation on X, saying, "U.S. forces began launching strikes against Iran at 8 p.m. ET today. The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday's attempted Iranian attacks on U.S. forces based in the Middle East."

The command added that more than 50,000 US service members remain deployed across West Asia and are "highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready."

The military action came as US President Donald Trump intensified his warning to Tehran, saying Washington planned to strike Iran "very hard" and adding that "it's our turn to hit them."

Speaking during an Oval Office appearance, Trump also referred to an earlier explosion at Egypt's Mediterranean port of Damietta, saying he had been briefed on the incident and adding that "it's going to be straightened out."

"They know it's coming," Trump said, directing another warning at Iran.

At the same time, the US President suggested diplomacy remained possible, saying, "We'll see if we get there with an agreement at some point," before reiterating the prospect of further military action.

Trump's remarks came after an explosion aboard a US-owned and operated liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel at Egypt's Damietta Port following a drone strike earlier on Wednesday. The incident has raised concerns that the conflict in West Asia is spreading beyond traditional flashpoints and could increasingly threaten critical regional energy infrastructure.