Iran has launched missile strikes against US military bases in Jordan and Bahrain, hours after fresh American air strikes targeted Iranian positions near the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities.

The retaliatory strikes, confirmed by Tehran early Monday, signal a dangerous expansion of direct armed conflict between the two long-standing adversaries, coming on the heels of repeated warnings from Washington regarding Iranian provocations in the critical shipping lane.

Direct Strikes Follow US Action

The Iranian military announced its precision-guided missiles had struck American facilities overnight, hitting targets in both Jordan and Bahrain. This move came after the Pentagon confirmed its forces had conducted air strikes against what it described as Iranian-backed militia sites in areas bordering the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday evening.

Sources within Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated the strikes were