The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that American forces had launched a new wave of military strikes against Iran, saying the operation was intended to further reduce the Iranian military's ability to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CENTCOM, the strikes began at 6am Eastern Time (1000 GMT) as part of Washington's ongoing military campaign in the region.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the latest attacks were specifically aimed at military facilities that it claims have been used by Iranian forces to carry out attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
At 6 a.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching a wave of strikes against Iran. The strikes are designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 15, 2026
The command stated that the operation was designed to "further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."
According to the US military, the targeted facilities were allegedly linked to operations against maritime traffic in one of the world's most strategically important shipping lanes.
Focus remains on Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global energy corridor through which a significant share of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes each day.
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The latest US announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions and continued concerns over maritime security, with Washington accusing Iran of threatening commercial shipping in the waterway.
US military continues operations
CENTCOM said the latest strikes form part of ongoing efforts to weaken Iranian military capabilities that the United States believes are being used against international shipping.
The command did not immediately provide additional operational details regarding the locations of the strikes or the extent of the damage caused during the latest round of attacks.
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