Analysis & Reports

Iran activated its air defense system in Tehran on July 16 in response to hostile threats. This action reflects the country's military readiness to counter perceived dangers.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced plans to destroy U.S. offensive infrastructure in the region, with further actions expected soon. Concurrently, Kuwait's military reported intercepting Iranian drones, while Bahrain issued air raid alerts for its residents.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intercepted and destroyed an enemy MQ-9 drone over Andimeshk, Iran, on July 16. This action was confirmed through an official statement on social media by the IRGC.

The Kuwaiti Armed Forces are intercepting 'enemy' aerial targets using their air defense systems in Kuwait during the early morning of the 16th.

The U.S. military launched a series of artillery strikes against Iranian locations in Hormozgan, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Khuzestan provinces on July 15, 2023. The attacks targeted areas including Sirik, Abadan, and Qeshm Island, lasting several hours. U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes via social media.

U.S. military artillery struck locations near Sirik and Geshm Island in Hormozgan Province on the morning of the 16th. The Iranian government reported these attacks, indicating ongoing military operations in the region.

On the evening of the 15th, the Kurdistan Region Air Defense Forces intercepted three drones during a drone attack near the U.S. consulate in Erbil, Iraq. Later reports confirmed that a total of eight drones were intercepted that night.

On July 15, U.S. Central Command launched a Hellfire missile at the oil tanker 'M/T Belma' near Hark Island, Iran, disabling its navigation capabilities as it attempted to breach a maritime blockade. This action followed the re-establishment of the blockade on July 14, which has already redirected two other vessels.

The U.S. military launched a second wave of strikes against Iran on July 15, 2023, at 15:00 EDT, targeting Iranian military capabilities. This follows a morning strike earlier that day and is part of a five-day campaign aimed at weakening threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Trump indicated that military actions will persist until Iran engages in negotiations.

U.S. military strikes on Iran resulted in 35 deaths and over 300 injuries as of July 15, 2023. The strikes primarily affected Hormozgan, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Khuzestan provinces. U.S. officials stated these actions were in response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Discussions for a broader military operation were held at the White House.

The report critiques U.S. air strategy, asserting that while high-altitude operations succeeded, low-altitude efforts around the Strait of Hormuz were inadequate. It challenges the concept of 'air littoral' as a misleading framework and emphasizes the necessity for integrated military campaigns across all domains. The analysis highlights the importance of addressing both advanced airpower and low-cost threats in future operations.

U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes against Iranian military facilities, while Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. installations in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. President Trump threatened further military action unless Iran returns to negotiations. The situation has escalated with significant U.S. naval and air deployments in the region.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) resumed missile and drone attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting U.S. airstrikes against Iranian coastal targets. The U.S. Navy reinstated a blockade to protect maritime traffic, while discussions of potential ground operations against Iran are ongoing. The situation reflects the complexities of U.S. military strategy in the region and the implications of possible withdrawal.

U.S. military artillery struck Hengam Island on July 15, according to Iranian media reports. The attack involved artillery fire targeting the island, indicating active military engagement in the region.

Iran's Foreign Ministry stated that the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding is only valuable if national interests and security are upheld. Iran will fulfill its obligations only if the U.S. complies; otherwise, it will cease compliance and take countermeasures.

U.S. military operations in Iran have incurred costs estimated between $80 billion and $100 billion, far exceeding the previously reported $31 billion. The Department of Defense's internal assessments reveal significant expenses related to military actions and base reconstruction. Congress has expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of transparency in military spending, prompting a request for an additional $68 billion budget.

Twenty-five U.S. senators demanded the Pentagon release findings from an investigation into a deadly airstrike on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, on February 28, 2026. The strike reportedly killed around 120 children and raised concerns about outdated intelligence. The senators set a deadline of July 20 for the Pentagon to provide a complete report and a plan to prevent future civilian casualties.

U.S. Central Command launched airstrikes against Iranian coastal defense systems and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island on Wednesday. The strikes aimed to degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, while threatening to cut off regional energy exports. The conflict has escalated significantly since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military resumed its maritime blockade against Iran on July 14, 2023, deploying over 20 naval vessels and hundreds of aircraft in the region. In response, Iran claimed to have struck U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. U.S. airstrikes targeted Iranian military assets, while Iran reported civilian casualties and retaliated with drone attacks on U.S. bases.

U.S. Central Command forced two merchant ships to change course while attempting to breach a maritime blockade at an Iranian port. This operation was initiated 17 hours prior to the statement released on July 15.