Key facts
- US forces conducted strikes in Iran to eliminate emerging threats.
- The strikes targeted missile launch sites and Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
- A surface-to-air missile site in Bandar Abbas was also struck.
- Iranian state media reported explosions in other cities.
- US Central Command announced further strikes against Iran.
- A US blockade of Iranian shipping is set to go into effect.
U.S. forces carried out strikes in Iran, described by a U.S. official as a measure to "eliminate emerging threats." The official indicated that several additional strikes followed a wave of attacks. U.S. Central Command stated that these were "self-defense" strikes targeting missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines in the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, two Iranian boats were observed laying mines in the strategic waterway, and U.S. forces eliminated both the vessels and a surface-to-air missile site in Bandar Abbas that was targeting U.S. warplanes. Iranian state media also reported explosions in other cities. The U.S. military announced further strikes against Iran, which began Tuesday afternoon Eastern Time, and is preparing to reinstate a blockade of Iranian shipping.