Iran’s armed forces said Saturday they are more powerful and on higher alert than they were at the start of the Middle East war, even as fresh explosions were reported on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz and Washington dangled the prospect of renewed bombardment.
“The armed forces of the Islamic Republic are today at a higher state of alert and more powerful than they were at the start of the war,” the army said, referring to the large-scale Israeli-American attack launched in February.
Tehran Warns of ‘Immediate’ Retaliation
Army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia, quoted by the official Irna agency, warned that any response would be swift and unbounded.
“On the order of the Supreme Leader, any retaliation by the armed forces will be immediate, effective and without geographic limits,” he said.
Overnight Friday to Saturday, Iranian state television reported two explosions on Qeshm Island, while the Tasnim agency said two missiles had struck the island. Iran’s military, cited by Iranian media, later said it had destroyed a US military drone over the island without confirming the missile reports.
Qeshm Targeted Days After US Midterms
Qeshm had already been hit by limited strikes overnight Monday to Tuesday, just before US midterm elections that delivered a sharp setback to President Donald Trump.
“We are carrying out minor strikes,” Trump said late Friday, without specifying whether he meant new attacks or those earlier in the week.
The Republican president acknowledged that the Middle East war — which has sent energy prices soaring since its launch in late February — partly explained the Democratic victory, while insisting it was “the only solution.”
“We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” he said Tuesday evening.
US Offers $20 Million for Nuclear Intelligence
The US military announced Friday it was offering a $20 million reward “and a possible relocation” to anyone providing information on Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran has consistently denied seeking an atomic weapon and defends its right to civilian nuclear energy.
Diplomatic efforts to avert a renewed outbreak of hostilities have intensified in recent days, but Trump has left open the possibility of further strikes on the Islamic Republic.
