Iran deployed its new electro-optical missiles for the first time in an attempted attack on U.S. warships on Wednesday, officials claimed, as part of Tehran’s retaliation campaign against American forces in the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard reportedly fired a wave of strikes overnight targeting U.S. forces in Jordan and 10 U.S. ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
The attempted attack on the ships allegedly utilized Iran’s electro-optical seekers, which use cameras and light sensors to track and hit targets with precision. U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes but noted that the attack, along with one in Jordan where Iranian missiles were intercepted, failed.
Iran unveiled its new Qassem Bassir ballistic missile late last year, which is allegedly capable of precise strikes without GPS. The missile's sensors are designed to allow for high accuracy while avoiding GPS, making it more resistant to jamming systems.
These strikes were reportedly in response to U.S. retaliatory strikes that disabled five oil tankers near Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub. "In response to the U.S.’s aggressive actions against Iranian oil tankers, armed forces, in accordance with their inherent right of legitimate defense, attacked U.S. military bases and facilities located in Jordan, which continues to support U.S. military attacks against Iran, as well as several U.S. vessels," a statement from Iran’s armed forces said.
Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s newly appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, suggested that a new "special anti-destroyer" missile debuted in Wednesday's strike, hailing it as part of his new defense policy approach. It remains unclear if the Qassem Bassir was the specific weapon used against the U.S. ships.
The IRGC also issued warnings of imminent strikes on oil tankers and bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, urging crews to evacuate immediately. The increase in retaliatory strikes and attacks on tankers in the region has raised concerns about safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for approximately 20% of the world's oil transport.