Iran vs USA:This blog explores the deep-rooted and explosive military rivalry between Iran and the United States — from the latest Operation Midnight Hammer in 2025 to past confrontations like the 2020 missile strike on Ain al-Asad Airbase, the 2019 downing of a $220 million US drone, and the mining of a US warship in 1988. Discover how Iran has repeatedly retaliated against American aggression over the past four decades, using everything from ballistic missiles to underwater mines, and how each move has reshaped Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Iran vs USA: When Iran Hit Back, Inside 40 Years of Shocking Attacks on US Forces
In the early hours of June 21, 2025, a highly coordinated and intense military operation shook the geopolitical stage of the Middle East. Operation Midnight Hammer saw 125 US military aircraft, including seven B-2 Spirit bombers, infiltrate Iranian airspace and strike three major nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
The stealth bombers reportedly entered from the Mediterranean Sea, crossing over Israel and Iraq before hitting their designated targets deep inside Iran. This was one of the largest single-night aerial strikes in recent history aimed at neutralizing Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The world’s eyes immediately turned to Tehran, anticipating a swift and powerful retaliation.
Just two days later, Iran did exactly what many feared. The Islamic Republic targeted two key American bases in the Middle East: Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar and Ain al-Asad Airbase in Iraq. But this wasn’t the first time Iran had responded directly to US military actions. Iran has a history of striking back with force and precision, often challenging America’s military superiority.
Let’s revisit four significant events from the past where Iran openly inflicted damage on American assets and interests, demonstrating its readiness to retaliate and assert its presence on the global stage.
1. January 8, 2020 – Ain al-Asad Airbase Missile Attack
Just days after a US drone strike killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020, Iran vowed revenge. Soleimani wasn’t just a military commander; he was considered one of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s most trusted strategists and a key figure in the Middle East’s power dynamics.
Many assumed Iran would limit its response to diplomatic protests or symbolic gestures. But Iran chose to respond with missiles. On the night of January 8, 2020, at exactly 1:20 AM, dozens of Fateh and Qiam ballistic missiles lit up the skies, heading straight for Ain al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq, a major hub for US military operations.
The missiles struck with pinpoint accuracy, targeting fuel depots, aircraft shelters, and command posts. Not a single missile missed its mark. Though prior intelligence allowed US soldiers to take shelter in bunkers, the destruction was severe. Hangars, runways, and barracks were obliterated. While the US initially claimed there were no casualties, it was later revealed that over 100 American soldiers suffered traumatic brain injuries, with many experiencing loss of consciousness, vision issues, and long-term neurological effects.
Iran boldly claimed responsibility for the attack and declared it a warning rather than an act of full-scale war. Iranian officials made it clear that if the US retaliated further, the next wave would be even more destructive. Then-President Donald Trump downplayed the attack with his now-famous statement “All is well,” but satellite images and on-ground reports told a different story.
2. June 2019 – The $220 Million Drone Shot Down
In June 2019, tensions between the US and Iran were already high, with Washington having imposed harsh sanctions that effectively crippled Iran’s oil exports. Amid these tensions, the US deployed an RQ-4 Global Hawk, an unmanned aerial surveillance drone worth over $220 million, into the skies above the Persian Gulf to monitor Iranian military movements.
Iran claimed the drone had violated its airspace, penetrating 15 kilometers into its maritime borders. Within 20 seconds of detection, Iran launched a Sevom Khordad missile and shot down the drone at an altitude of 60,000 feet — a range where most defense systems fail to operate effectively.
The strike shocked US defense analysts, who had underestimated Iran’s missile reach. Iran provided GPS data and wreckage as proof, while the US insisted the drone was in international airspace. Though President Trump initially threatened airstrikes in retaliation, the operation was called off at the last minute. Once again, Iran had demonstrated both its military capability and its willingness to use it.
3. October 16, 1987 – Attack on the Reflagged US Ship MV Sea Isle City
During the Iran-Iraq War, tensions spilled over into the Persian Gulf. Iran began targeting Kuwaiti oil tankers, prompting the US to initiate Operation Earnest Will in 1987. As part of this operation, Kuwaiti tankers were reflagged with the US flag to provide them protection under international law.
One such tanker, MV Sea Isle City, became the target of Iran’s first open strike on a US-flagged vessel. Iran fired a Chinese-made Silkworm missile that struck the bridge of the ship. The 3,000 kg subsonic missile traveled over 120 km and caused severe damage. Eighteen crew members were injured, and the ship’s captain, a US citizen, lost both his eyes.
The attack was a clear message from Tehran: Iran would not be deterred by American shows of force. The US responded by launching airstrikes on two Iranian oil platforms in the Persian Gulf used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps for military operations.
4. April 14, 1988 – The Mining of USS Samuel B. Roberts
As part of Operation Earnest Will, the USS Samuel B. Roberts, a guided-missile frigate, was deployed to escort oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. On April 14, 1988, the ship struck an Iranian sea mine placed beneath the surface using a sophisticated anchoring system.
The explosion tore a 21-inch hole into the hull, flooded the engine room, and disabled two gas turbines. A $500 underwater mine had nearly destroyed a $90 million warship. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but the damage was extensive and costly.
In response, the US launched Operation Praying Mantis four days later. American forces targeted Iranian oil platforms and destroyed the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Sahand. During the battle, a US Marine helicopter crashed, killing its two pilots, but the operation significantly weakened Iran’s naval capabilities.
Iran’s Defiance in the Face of Pressure
These incidents collectively show that Iran, despite being under economic sanctions and international isolation, has never shied away from retaliating against the United States—sometimes in unexpected and tactically effective ways. Whether it’s launching ballistic missiles on fortified bases, shooting down multimillion-dollar drones, or targeting warships with inexpensive sea mines, Iran has repeatedly demonstrated a capacity for asymmetric warfare.
Since the fall of the pro-American government in Iran, successive regimes have shown a clear policy of resistance against US pressure. Despite being surrounded by US bases and military assets, Iran has never hesitated to strike when it feels provoked, regardless of the risks involved.
The events of Operation Midnight Hammer and the subsequent counterattacks may be the latest flashpoints, but they are rooted in a long and ongoing conflict between the two nations. As tensions continue to simmer, the possibility of further escalation remains real, with global implications.
Disclaimer:
This blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available sources and historical events. We do not support or promote any political agenda, violence, or conflict. The aim is to present factual reporting and analysis of significant geopolitical developments. Reader discretion is advised.