US launches new wave of strikes against Iranian targets, CENTCOM announces

The United States intensified its military actions against Iran on Wednesday, launching a new series of strikes aimed at crippling Iran's capacity to threaten commercial shipping. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation, which involved aircraft, drones, and naval vessels, targeting missile and drone sites, naval assets, and coastal defenses.

These strikes come amid heightened tensions and follow recent Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM stated that U.S. forces are prepared to ensure the strait remains open for commerce, citing "Iran’s continued unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations."

The U.S. operation coincided with reports of explosions in Shiraz, southern Iran, and the activation of air defenses near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, according to Iranian media. Mehr news agency also reported sounds of explosions in Sirik and eastern Hormozgan, attributing them to clashes in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM detailed that previous strikes earlier in the week had hit dozens of targets, including Iranian military air defense systems, radar sites, small boats, and missile and drone capabilities. The July 13 strikes notably utilized U.S. one-way sea attack drones for the first time.

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US forces are postured and prepared to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial shipping, “despite Iran’s continued unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations.”