US Strikes in Iran Were Preemptive Against Maritime Cable Threat

A U.S. official told Saudi media outlet Al-Hadath that recent strikes against Iran were a preemptive measure to thwart an Iranian plot to damage maritime cables in the Strait of Hormuz. The official indicated that the Trump administration had been monitoring the movement of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel from Iran to Lebanon.

U.S. intelligence reportedly suspects Lebanese security officials are involved in issuing passports to Iranian operatives. The report also suggests that loopholes in death registrations within Hezbollah's sphere of influence are being exploited to facilitate the entry of Iranians into other countries. This alleged scheme involves using Lebanese documents to move Iranians through Beirut's airport and land border crossings.

The U.S. Central Command confirmed strikes on Revolutionary Guard targets in the Strait of Hormuz area. Iran, in turn, announced attacks on American targets in Jordan and Bahrain, while Kuwait reported activating air defense systems due to a drone attack. President Donald Trump tweeted about the situation, stating he was not trying to force Iran back to negotiations and expressed satisfaction with U.S. control over the Strait of Hormuz, noting Iran's collapsing economy.

Iranian state media claimed attacks on a U.S. Marine base in Aqaba, Jordan, and a U.S. military base in Bahrain. The Jordanian army reported intercepting 10 out of 13 ballistic missiles launched toward the country, with three falling in remote areas. No U.S. casualties were reported, according to American officials speaking to Reuters. Additionally, an enemy aircraft approaching northern Israel from Lebanon was intercepted overnight without casualties.