TEHRAN, June 11, 2026 – The United States conducted airstrikes on Iranian military infrastructure in southern Iran, focusing on air defense systems, radars, and drone control units, according to reports cited by Russian state-affiliated outlet RT.
Citing Axios, RT reported that the strikes hit positions near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. U.S. Central Command confirmed that Air Force and Navy jets targeted Iranian air defenses, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites in the region.
The operation comes in retaliation for Iran’s downing of a U.S. AH-64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, with the crew rescued safely. Iranian officials claimed the U.S. strikes also affected some civilian infrastructure, including water reservoirs, though Washington insists targets were strictly military.
In a show of operational continuity, Iranian state media released night footage of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fighter jets flying over Tehran. The videos, shared widely on social media, show bright lights from aircraft maneuvering against the dark city skyline, with Mehr News Agency attributing the clips to IRGC operations.
This display follows a series of exchanges:
- Iranian missile attacks on Israel.
- Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
- Broader U.S.-Iran naval and air tensions in the Persian Gulf.
The April 2026 ceasefire between the parties has fully collapsed, with recent weeks seeing renewed missile barrages, drone incidents, and direct U.S. involvement.
The strikes mark another escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict that intensified earlier in 2026. U.S. officials emphasize defensive actions to protect forces and navigation freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran vows retaliation, including potential further attacks on U.S. bases in the region.
Oil markets remain volatile as disruptions threaten global energy supplies. International calls for de-escalation have so far gone unheeded, with both sides accusing the other of aggression.
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