The United States has carried out a third consecutive night of military strikes against Iran, intensifying operations aimed at weakening Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the latest wave of attacks began at approximately 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time under orders from the Commander in Chief.
Military officials said the campaign is designed to impose significant costs on Iranian forces while reducing their capacity to conduct attacks against innocent civilians and international maritime traffic.
CENTCOM Says Campaign Targets Maritime Threats
The ongoing military operation is focused on degrading Iran’s military infrastructure linked to operations in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
CENTCOM stated that the strikes are intended to diminish Iran’s ability to disrupt commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies and international trade. U.S. officials said the operation reflects Washington’s effort to hold Iranian forces accountable for actions that threaten freedom of navigation.
Naval Infrastructure Hit During Previous Operations
As part of the campaign, U.S. forces struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran during operations conducted the previous day.
CENTCOM said the attack involved multiple one-way attack surface drones that successfully hit the targeted installation. The strike formed part of a broader effort to reduce Iran’s naval operational capabilities and limit its capacity to support future attacks at sea.
First Combat Use of American Sea Drones
The military also confirmed the combat debut of American unmanned surface vessels during the operation.
According to CENTCOM, three Corsair unmanned surface vessels struck facilities at the port of Bandar Abbas Naval Base.
The attack marked the first known instance of U.S. forces employing sea drones in active combat operations, highlighting the growing role of autonomous maritime systems in modern warfare.
Military officials said the strikes conducted the previous night significantly degraded Iran’s capability to continue targeting commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz.
Campaign Continues After Earlier Round of Strikes
The latest attacks follow another round of strikes launched on July 12, when U.S. Central Command announced that operations had begun at around 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
CENTCOM said those strikes were also ordered by the Commander in Chief and were intended to further weaken Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The military has indicated that the current campaign will continue to focus on degrading Iranian military capabilities associated with maritime threats while increasing pressure on forces accused of endangering international shipping in the region.
