Iranian officials issued threats of retaliation against the United States following a new series of strikes conducted by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) targeting Iranian military infrastructure. One official vowed a "a hard slap" while another stated, "if you strike, you'll get hit."
Ebrahim Rezaei, identified as a representative in Iran's Parliament and spokesperson for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, posted on X, "The martyred Khamenei taught us not to fear America and showed that 'falsehood will perish.' Await the hard slap from the Iranians."
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran's Parliament, warned, "America still hasn’t learned that bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free. Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you’ll get hit. Don’t flail around pointlessly, or you’ll sink even deeper: the Strait of Hormuz will only open with 'Iranian arrangements,' not American threats."
These statements were made on Wednesday, the same day CENTCOM announced additional strikes aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM stated the U.S. is holding Iran accountable for recent "unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews."
CENTCOM reported completing an additional round of strikes on July 8, targeting approximately 90 Iranian military assets. These included air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure. The previous night, CENTCOM forces struck approximately 80 Iranian military targets, including more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats, in response to Iran violating a ceasefire by attacking three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday that the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding ceasefire was "over."
Kuwait and Bahrain have reported being targeted. The Kuwait Army stated on Thursday that its armed forces detected and intercepted three ballistic missiles, one cruise missile, and 10 drones within Kuwaiti airspace. The Bahrain Defense Force reported that its air defense systems confronted and destroyed "several treacherous Iranian aerial attacks" on Thursday morning.
The timeline of events leading to these escalations includes recent aggression against commercial shipping, prompting the U.S. military's actions and the subsequent Iranian threats. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical international waterway where maritime security has been a point of contention.