U.S. Central Command completed a third round of airstrikes against Iranian military sites on Saturday, July 6 [4].

These strikes represent a significant escalation in regional tensions following a direct attack on commercial shipping. The U.S. military is signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward disruptions in critical maritime corridors, specifically the Strait of Hormuz.

The operation targeted approximately 140 Iranian military sites [1], including facilities used for missiles and drones [1]. Other reports indicated a lower figure of 90 targets [2]. The strikes were carried out by U.S. forces in response to an attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the M/V GFS Galaxy [1].

The M/V GFS Galaxy is a Cyprus-flagged container ship that was disabled during the IRGC assault in the Strait of Hormuz [1]. U.S. officials said the attack left one crew member missing [3].

CENTCOM officials said the strikes were completed on July 7 [4]. The operation focused on neutralizing capabilities that the U.S. identifies as threats to international shipping and regional stability. This third wave of attacks follows a pattern of retaliatory strikes aimed at degrading IRGC infrastructure.

The U.S. military has not provided a full casualty count for the Iranian side, but the scale of the operation—hitting up to 140 sites [1]—indicates a wide-reaching effort to disable missile and drone launch capabilities. The focus on the Strait of Hormuz underscores the strategic importance of the waterway, which serves as a primary transit point for global energy supplies.

“U.S. Central Command completed a third round of airstrikes against Iranian military sites”

The decision to strike up to 140 targets in a single round suggests a shift from limited retaliation to a broader campaign of degradation against Iranian military infrastructure. By linking these strikes directly to the attack on the M/V GFS Galaxy, the U.S. is establishing a precedent that any interference with commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz will result in a large-scale military response.