US forces launched a massive wave of airstrikes targeting approximately 90 Iranian military sites in their latest efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz secure for transiting cargo ships.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced late Sunday night that American troops carried out the attack ‘to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking international shipping flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.’
‘The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade,’ Central Command said. ‘Iran does not control it.’
Iran responded by launching retaliatory strikes and insisting, ‘The Strait of Hormuz is our territory.’
As part of the US effort, CENTCOM said fighter jets, naval vessels and drones – including new one-way attack sea drones – struck air defense systems, coastal radar sites and missile and drone sites.
The US military also shared dramatic video of the assault, showing fighter jets taking off from aircraft carriers in the dark of the night and bombs going off at various locations.
‘US forces are postured and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available to commercial shipping, despite Iran’s continued unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats and arbitrary declarations,’ the agency posted on X.
Iranian state media acknowledged the latest attacks on its soil early Monday, describing explosions in several locations with at least one person being killed.
Iran then retaliated with strikes on Gulf countries it perceives as helping the United States, as officials there argue they have the authority to control the waterway through which one-fifth of the world’s oil supply traverses.
