IRGC Navy Warns US Forces Face 'Zero Hour' Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions

TEHRAN, July 17 (AP) — The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy declared on Thursday that all United States military movements in regional waters are under full Iranian surveillance and warned American forces they are nearing the "zero hour" of a potential operation against U.S. Central Command naval units.

The stark warning comes as tensions in the Persian Gulf reach their highest point since 2019, following what Tehran describes as acts of aggression by Washington on civilian sites within Iran's territory and subsequent retaliatory operations launched by Iranian forces against American bases in the region. The IRGC Navy statement marked a significant escalation in rhetoric between the two adversaries.

"All U.S. military movements in regional waters are under full surveillance," the IRGC Navy said in an official release distributed late Thursday evening local time. "American forces are approaching the zero hour of a potential operation against CENTCOM naval units." The message was broadcast from command centers overlooking strategic choke points, including the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military has not immediately commented on the specific threat level or confirmed any imminent operational timeline. However, American officials have previously stated that their presence in the Persian Gulf remains robust to deter aggression and ensure freedom of navigation through one of the world's most critical energy corridors. The Strait of Hormuz facilitates roughly 20 percent of global oil consumption.

The current crisis stems from a cycle of strikes attributed by Iranian state media to U.S. actions against civilian infrastructure, which Tehran claims caused significant loss of life and property damage. In response, Iran has conducted retaliatory missile and drone operations targeting facilities housing American personnel in neighboring countries. These exchanges have prompted emergency meetings among regional allies and heightened the alert status for commercial shipping companies traversing the waterway.

Iranian military commanders emphasized that their surveillance capabilities now cover every vessel operating within 200 nautical miles of Iranian coasts, including advanced radar systems and unmanned underwater vehicles deployed in recent weeks. The IRGC Navy indicated that any unauthorized movement by U.S. warships could be interpreted as an act of hostility requiring immediate response.

U.S. Central Command has maintained a fleet presence in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf for months, conducting joint exercises with regional partners to demonstrate resolve. Pentagon spokespeople have repeatedly called on Iran to de-escalate tensions through diplomatic channels rather than military posturing.

As night fell over the gulf Thursday, naval vessels from both nations were reported maneuvering within close proximity of one another near key shipping lanes. The situation remains fluid, with no clear indication whether the "zero hour" mentioned by Tehran refers to a specific date or an immediate tactical window.

Questions remain regarding how international mediators will intervene before potential kinetic conflict expands beyond naval skirmishes. Regional powers have urged restraint while monitoring satellite imagery and communications traffic for signs of further mobilization.