US-Iran
War tensions soar: Iran issues fresh threat as US continues military strikes
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned Middle Eastern countries hosting US military bases to prepare for retaliation, saying they share responsibility for allowing their territory to be used as launch pads for attacks on Iran, further escalating tensions across the region.
In a statement, the IRGC accused the United States of reigniting a war that it claimed had "never truly ended," alleging that Washington had previously retreated from the battlefield after suffering "crushing responses" from Iran's armed forces. The force also claimed that Iran's military capabilities are now stronger than they were at the start of the conflict on February 28, according to Iran's Mehr News Agency.
"From yesterday, the enemy adopted a new approach, committing war crimes to conceal its defeat in military confrontation — carrying out destructive attacks on hospitals, bridges, railways, airports, ports, telecommunications centres and other civilian infrastructure, while killing innocent civilians," the IRGC said in the statement.
Meanwhile, the United States military carried out its seventh consecutive day of strikes on Iran, as the conflict continued to intensify across the Middle East.
Providing details of the latest operation, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X that it targeted Iranian surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage facilities, and maritime capabilities.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 18, 2026
According to CENTCOM, the operation involved fighter aircraft, armed drones, warships and other military assets.
"CENTCOM continues to hold Iran accountable at the direction of the Commander in Chief while fully enforcing a naval blockade against Iranian ports," the command said.
CENTCOM also stated that more than 50,000 American service members remain deployed across the Middle East and are "vigilant, lethal, and ready."
Meanwhile, the United Nations voiced deep concern over the continuing military escalation between Iran and the United States.
"The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned by the continuing deadly military escalation between Iran and the United States," UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Friday.
"He is particularly concerned about attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran and across the region. Such attacks are unacceptable," Haq added.
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