Centcom completes strikes against Iran

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the completion of a wave of strikes against Iran, stating that the operations were conducted to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and innocent mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes, which concluded on July 15, targeted military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems.

According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces struck Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities. Earlier on July 15, American forces also struck coastal defense and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island. CENTCOM also stated that it helped facilitate the transit of approximately 900 commercial vessels and 450 million barrels of crude oil.

Earlier, on July 7, U.S. forces completed a round of offensive strikes against Iran, hitting over 80 targets with precision munitions. This action was described as an immediate response to Iran's latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The targets included Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats.

These strikes were carried out after Iran recently attacked three commercial vessels. A U.S. official indicated that the frequency of such strikes could increase if Iran continues its aggressive actions. U.S. President Donald Trump had also declared that the Memorandum of Understanding with Tehran was over, preceding some of the strikes. Reports from Iranian news agencies indicated that air defenses were activated and explosions were heard in southern Iran, with some reports of shrapnel striking a hospital and hitting power lines in Chabahar.