IRGC warns US 'will regret' new attacks on Iran

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned on Tuesday that the United States "will regret its new attacks" against the Islamic Republic, responding hours after Washington announced it had begun striking IRGC targets across Iran. IRGC spokesman Sardar Mohebi said in a statement that "A harsh punishment awaits the aggressors," according to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency. The warning came shortly after US Central Command confirmed that American forces had initiated operations against Guard Corps positions.

The Pentagon has not released details on the specific targets or extent of the bombing campaign, which marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Washington. Military officials in Washington said the strikes aim to degrade the Guard Corps' capabilities following months of heightened tensions in the region.

Fragile ceasefire collapses

Hostilities first erupted in late February when the US and Israel launched military action against Iran, triggering a war that has now lasted more than five months. A framework ceasefire agreement was signed in June following mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar, though the truce proved fragile as disputes persisted over navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington initiated a two-week bombing campaign in July and subsequently reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports after disagreements arose regarding maritime traffic through the strategic chokepoint. The IRGC has maintained a belligerent posture throughout the summer, vowing to resist foreign aggression as diplomatic channels struggled to prevent further military confrontation.

Civilian toll mounts

The latest strikes target the IRGC, Tehran's elite military force tasked with protecting the Islamic Republic's system and projecting power across the Middle East. The Guard Corps maintains extensive influence over Iran's ballistic missile program and regional proxy networks, making it a primary target for US military planners seeking to curtail Iranian regional activities.

More than 3,300 people have been killed in Iran since the war began on February 28, according to previous reports, with thousands more displaced and critical infrastructure damaged across multiple provinces. The continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global energy shipments, driving up prices in both European and Asian markets.