The U.S. May Intensify Crackdown as Iran Prepares for Military Escalation

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 23 - According to reports from Xinhua's foreign correspondents: The U.S. Central Command stated on social media on the 22nd that the U.S. military has completed its latest round of strikes against Iran. This marks the 12th consecutive night of U.S. strikes on Iran. According to Israeli media reports, the U.S. has notified Israel of plans to intensify strikes against Iran in the coming days. Sources from the Iranian military revealed that the Iranian military has simulated various U.S. attack scenarios to prepare for a potential ground invasion by U.S. forces.

The U.S. Central Command stated in its announcement that the latest round of strikes against Iran was completed at 10:30 PM Eastern Time on the 22nd (10:30 AM Beijing Time on the 23rd), targeting Iranian maritime combat facilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal monitoring sites, and air defense facilities, among others. The strikes lasted for a total of 5 hours. The statement noted that the U.S. military has conducted strikes on dozens of military targets within Iran this month and has resumed maritime blockade operations. So far, the U.S. military has forced 9 commercial vessels to change their routes, rendered one vessel inoperable, and prevented them from entering or exiting Iranian ports.

According to a report by the Israeli Times on the 22nd, the U.S. has notified Israel of its plans to intensify strikes against Iran in the coming days, including the first use of heavy bombers since the U.S. and Israel began military actions against Iran this year. The heavy bombers are expected to be used to target Iran's underground nuclear facilities in Fordow. The close coordination between the U.S. and Israel aims to prepare Israel for potential retaliatory actions from Iran. Following the notification from the U.S., Israel has entered a state of maximum alert.

The U.S. Wall Street Journal reported on the 22nd, citing informed sources, that the U.S. is increasing the deployment of troops, medical personnel, and equipment to the Middle East to provide "stronger military options" to President Trump.

According to a report by the Islamic Republic News Agency on the 23rd, officials in Iran's Khuzestan province stated that U.S. forces launched a missile attack on the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iran and Iraq early that morning. The attack resulted in 2 deaths and 11 injuries.

An Iranian military source told Russian media, "The Iranian armed forces are prepared with various response plans for any new attacks that the U.S. may launch, especially if the U.S. government makes the mistake of initiating a ground invasion." If U.S. forces strike Iranian nuclear facilities or infrastructure again, Iran's response will exceed U.S. expectations.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated on the 23rd that in response to U.S. military actions against Iran, Iran has conducted strikes on U.S. facilities in Jordan and Kuwait, with the attack on the U.S. military's Blanding Camp in Kuwait resulting in casualties among U.S. personnel.

The IRGC also stated on the 23rd that 3 tankers "tempted by the U.S." were obstructed while attempting to lay mines in the waters south of the Strait of Hormuz, with one exploding and catching fire, while the other two turned back. The statement claimed that the IRGC has controlled and "completely blocked" the Strait of Hormuz, and no tankers are allowed to enter or exit during the ongoing "provocations" by the U.S. in the region.

The Jordanian Armed Forces stated on the 23rd that their air defense systems shot down 3 missiles and 6 drones from Iran in the past 24 hours, with another missile falling in a remote area.

According to a statement from the Iraqi Prime Minister's office on the 23rd, Prime Minister Al-Zaydi stated during talks with Iranian President Raisi in Tehran that Iraq and Iran's security are closely linked, and Iraq will never allow any actions threatening Iran to be launched from its territory. Raisi emphasized that security and stability are of great significance for the development of bilateral relations. (End)