U.S. Says It Struck Dozens of Iranian Military Targets in New Hormuz Operation

The U.S. military said it launched a new wave of precision strikes against dozens of Iranian military targets, saying the operation was aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said early Monday, that American forces struck multiple military targets across Iran, including air defense systems, coastal radar installations, missile and drone capabilities, and small military vessels. In a statement, CENTCOM said the operation involved U.S. fighter aircraft, naval assets and one-way attack drones. It added that the strikes were intended to degrade Iran’s capability to threaten commercial vessels transiting the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM also said U.S. forces employed one-way unmanned surface vessels in combat for the first time during the operation, describing the move as a significant development in its regional military capabilities. The U.S. military did not provide an assessment of the damage or report any casualties. According to CENTCOM, the operation was carried out under the direction of President Donald Trump and was intended as a response to recent attacks on commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and said Iran has no authority to restrict freedom of navigation. It added that U.S. forces remain prepared to protect commercial shipping against what it described as Iranian threats and harassment. Iran has presented a different account. Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed to shipping until what it described as the end of U.S. military intervention in the region. Iranian officials have also argued that navigation through the waterway should be coordinated with Tehran and Oman. Iran has further cited provisions of a reported Tehran-Washington ceasefire memorandum, claiming it has primary responsibility for restoring maritime traffic during an initial implementation period. Iranian officials also said future management of the strait would involve consultation with Oman. The latest operation marks another escalation in the military confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with both sides exchanging strikes and accusations in recent days. The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption, making any disruption to shipping a significant concern for international energy markets. The post U.S. Says It Struck Dozens of Iranian Military Targets in New Hormuz Operation appeared first on Khaama Press.