🔥 AUTHORITIES ATTRIBUTE SHRINE-COMPLEX FIRE TO AN ASPHALT WORKSHOP: A major blaze occurred inside Mashhad’s Imam Reza Shrine complex, where Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was buried. Iranian authorities said the fire began at a workshop within the compound, according to Iran International.
🎯 CENTCOM TARGETED IRANIAN COMMAND, MISSILE AND COASTAL SYSTEMS: An evening strike wave concluded at 9 p.m. ET on July 15, hitting command centers, air-defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities in several locations, including Bandar Abbas. CENTCOM said the operation was intended to further reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
American forces had earlier struck coastal-defense and cruise-missile sites on Greater Tunb Island during a 90-minute wave. Iranian outlets reported additional strikes on Qeshm Island, Behbahan in Khuzestan Province and areas near Bandar Abbas.
Hormozgan authorities reported impacts near Qeshm at 6:10 p.m. and near Bandar Abbas at 6:20 p.m. and 6:40 p.m. The governorate said no casualties or damage to residential or commercial infrastructure had been identified, pending further assessment. Eyewitnesses also reported explosions in central Dubai, according to Reuters.
⚠️ TEHRAN LINKED U.S. INFRASTRUCTURE STRIKES TO REGIONAL RETALIATION: The IRGC warned that infrastructure throughout the region would be targeted if Washington attacked Iranian infrastructure. Iranian military officials also said Hormuz would remain closed until Washington recognizes what Tehran described as its system based on the rule of law.
The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters called foreign interference in Hormuz a non-negotiable “red line” and threatened strikes against all regional infrastructure. It described any future response as broader and more destructive than reciprocal retaliation.
🚢 IRAN REPORTEDLY PREPARED A SECOND MARITIME CHOKEPOINT THROUGH THE HOUTHIS: Reuters reported that Tehran instructed the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the United States attacks Iranian power infrastructure. A source close to the Houthis said missiles and drones had been positioned around the waterway, while IRGC representatives in Yemen would retain final authority over when to act.
The Houthis have not initiated the closure and are reportedly waiting for what they consider the “right moment.” The Telegraph described the preparations as part of a broader Iranian strategy to increase pressure on the United States and its allies.
Simultaneous restrictions at Bab el-Mandeb and Hormuz could force vessels to reroute around Africa, disrupt the Middle East’s principal oil-export routes and threaten the Saudi East-West pipeline carrying diverted Gulf oil to Yanbu. Sources close to the Saudi leadership said Riyadh was taking the threat “very seriously” and believed the Houthis were coordinating closely with Iran.
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