US forces strike rescue vessels in Iran’s Hormozgan UPDATED

The United States armed forces carried out strikes on search-and-rescue vessels in Iran’s Hormozgan Province, according to Fars News Agency, which cited a local maritime authority.

According to the report, two rescue vessels were struck. The agency said the ships were engaged solely in humanitarian missions.

11:57

The United States used a long-range strategic bomber to strike targets linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on July 21, marking a further escalation in ongoing hostilities, Axios reported, citing U.S. officials.

According to the report, the U.S. military deployed a B-1B Lancer bomber in the operation — the first such mission since fighting with Iran resumed 12 days earlier.

“This was the first time the U.S. conducted a mission using a B-1 bomber since the resumption of hostilities with Iran 12 days ago,” the report said.

The use of the B-1, which can carry up to two dozen 900-kilogram bombs or dozens of cruise missiles, represents a notable intensification and broadening of the U.S. military campaign, according to the report.

10:50

The United States is reinforcing its air power in the Middle East ahead of potential new strikes on Iran, having informed Israel of plans to intensify operations in the coming days, including the possible use of strategic bombers, according to reports in Israeli media.

Israeli officials assess that a warning by U.S. President Donald Trump about striking Iran’s national infrastructure has increased the risk of retaliatory missile launches by Tehran against Israel, potentially drawing it deeper into the current escalation.

Coordination between Washington and Israel is expected to help prepare for such scenarios, including possible Iranian missile attacks. Israeli officials believe any such development could prompt Israel to resume its own strikes on Iran.

At present, 12 B-1B Lancer bombers are deployed at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom. The aircraft were previously used during U.S.-Israeli operations targeting Iran. B-52H Stratofortress bombers had also been stationed there but were returned to the continental United States following the end of hostilities.

During earlier air raids, these bombers were used to strike high-value Iranian targets, including fortified facilities associated with the deployment, storage and production of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Separately, aviation monitoring group Military Air Tracking Alliance reported that Washington has deployed approximately 80 additional combat aircraft to the Middle East in recent days to reinforce its presence.

The reinforcements include three squadrons of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, as well as squadrons of F-35A Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, alongside around 20 A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. These assets have been deployed to bases across Jordan, Israel and Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number of combat aircraft at regional bases to roughly 150.

The United States has also expanded its fleet of aerial refuelling aircraft in the region to sustain extended operations and facilitate further deployments from Europe. A total of 97 KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft are currently deployed, including at bases in Israel and Saudi Arabia.

In addition, more than 100 combat aircraft are deployed aboard two U.S. aircraft carriers and an amphibious assault ship operating in the Arabian Sea southeast of Iran.

By Tamilla Hasanova