The Israeli military has carried out a major attack on Iran's naval base in the southern Persian Gulf port city of Bandar Abbas. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the strike targeted drone depots and weapons arsenals that Tel Aviv claims were being used to prepare attacks against Israeli interests in the region. Local residents reported powerful explosions, bright lights and thick plumes of smoke rising above the city.

Iranian state media confirmed the attack, specifying that the target was a warship based at Bandar Abbas. According to preliminary information, the ship was seriously damaged, but information on casualties has not yet been released. It is the first documented attack on the Iranian fleet in the Persian Gulf during the current conflict, which marks a new stage of escalation between Tehran and Tel Aviv.

The attack comes amid an ongoing exchange of attacks between the two countries that began in June 2025, when Israel launched a series of operations against targets it believed were linked to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israeli territory, causing casualties and destruction. The strike on Bandar Abbas, a key port and strategic hub for Iran’s navy, underscores Israel’s desire to inflict maximum damage on its adversary’s military infrastructure.

The naval base at Bandar Abbas plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world's oil passes. Analysts fear that an attack could provoke Iran to retaliate, including closing the strait, which would deal a major blow to the global economy. Tehran has repeatedly threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz in recent years in the event of aggression from outside powers.