Iran Threats Full-Scale Offensive After U.S. Strikes End Ceasefire

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) launched a series of retaliatory strikes against U.S. military facilities in Syria, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain on July 17, 2026. These attacks, part of Operation Nasr-2, followed seven days of U.S. military strikes initiated by President Donald Trump, who declared a previous ceasefire and Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding over.

In Syria, the IRGC targeted a special operations command center at al-Tanf, though Syrian military sources reported the attack missed the base and caused no damage. The U.S. military had previously announced its withdrawal from al-Tanf in February. In Kuwait, the IRGC claimed to have hit HIMARS launchers and surveillance radars, causing a large fire; the Kuwaiti Army confirmed its air defenses engaged hostile drones and missiles. Strikes were also reported against surveillance radars in Oman's Salmah Plateau and Ghanam area.

United States Central Command denied reports that Iranian forces captured or killed American troops during the operations. Meanwhile, IRGC official Mohsen Rezaei warned that Iran would initiate a full-scale offensive if U.S. attacks continued for another two or three days, asserting that no political border would be secure. Iran also declared it would block oil and gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz as long as U.S. strikes persist. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that Syria would remain outside the conflict unless targeted by another party.