U.S. military forces launched additional airstrikes against Iran this week to pressure Tehran to stop attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The escalation marks a significant increase in military tension in the region, threatening the stability of a critical global waterway and risking a broader conflict between the two nations.
U.S. Central Command conducted the operations, which targeted Iranian bridges and infrastructure [1]. These strikes followed an Iranian attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz that left one crew member missing [2].
Reports on the duration of the campaign vary. Some sources said the U.S. has conducted strikes for six consecutive nights [3], while other reports indicate the campaign has reached a seventh consecutive night [4].
President Donald Trump (R-US) said the actions were "major combat operations" [5]. He pledged to intensify the bombardment until Tehran stops attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz and agrees to open the waterway [6].
The military activity has centered on Iranian territory and the strategic waters of the Strait of Hormuz [1]. While some reports suggested the U.S. ended a specific round of strikes recently [3], other reports from July 15 indicated that fresh strikes were launched on Wednesday [7].
“"major combat operations"”
The U.S. strategy centers on using targeted infrastructure damage to force a change in Iranian maritime behavior. By focusing on bridges and strategic assets, the U.S. aims to degrade Iran's operational capacity while maintaining pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for a significant portion of the world's oil shipments.
