US launches new wave of strikes on Iran

US launches new wave of strikes on Iran

The United States military says it has completed a new phase of military operations targeting Iran, marking another escalation in tensions between the two countries.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation began at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 14 and lasted for nearly seven hours. During the mission, US forces carried out precision strikes against dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran’s southern coastline.

CENTCOM said the operation involved fighter jets, drones, and naval warships. The strikes targeted Iranian missile and drone facilities, naval assets, and coastal defense systems that US officials believe could threaten regional security and international shipping.

The US military stated that the primary objective of the operation was to further reduce Iran’s ability to disrupt commercial maritime traffic and endanger civilian vessels and their crews in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

In a separate development, CENTCOM announced that US forces reinstated a naval blockade on July 14 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The measure applies to ships entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas and forms part of Washington’s broader effort to increase pressure on Tehran following recent regional tensions.

The latest military action reflects the continuing confrontation between the United States and Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a key flashpoint because of its critical role in global energy supplies and international trade.