Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Launch Heaviest Operation Yet

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that it has commenced its most intense and formidable military operation since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. The announcement, made on Wednesday, comes amid escalating hostilities that have now lasted more than ten days.

According to statements issued by the IRGC, the latest operation involved an unprecedented barrage of ballistic missiles and precision strikes against perceived American and Israeli targets across the region. These included installations in Iraq’s Kurdistan region and other strategic sites. The Guards characterised the offensive as the “most intense” military action undertaken since the conflict began, signalling a significant escalation in Tehran’s response to Western pressure.

The announcement follows a period of heightened rhetoric and military posturing. The Pentagon had previously warned that U.S. forces were preparing to carry out their “most powerful” strikes against Iranian territory, involving the largest deployment of fighter and bomber aircraft since the campaign began.

Context of the Escalation

The conflict began in late February after a dramatic joint attack by U.S. and Israeli forces that reportedly killed Iran’s defence minister and the head of the Revolutionary Guards, among other senior officials. Tensions have since intensified, with both sides launching retaliatory strikes and counter‑offensives across multiple theatres.

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, appointed following his father’s death, has strengthened hard‑line factions within the country’s political and military establishment, with the IRGC assuming a central role in directing strategic operations.

President Donald Trump has publicly stated that he expects the conflict to end “very soon,” framing U.S. actions as necessary to deter nuclear development and secure regional stability. In contrast, Tehran insists that it will determine the terms of any cessation of hostilities and continue defending what it describes as sovereign interests.

Recent Military Activity – Key Data

Regional and Global Impact

The conflict’s escalation has reverberated across the Middle East, with missile and drone attacks reported in the Gulf states, Israel, and Iraq. Civilian casualties and infrastructure damage have been significant, and global oil markets have been disrupted by threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

International observers warn that the confrontation could have far‑reaching consequences, potentially drawing in other regional powers and impacting global security and economic stability if hostilities persist.