The United States military conducted a third consecutive night of airstrikes against targets in Iran on Monday, July 13, 2026 [1], [2].
These operations represent a significant escalation in tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for global oil and trade. By targeting Iranian assets, the U.S. seeks to prevent Tehran from interfering with international commerce in the region.
U.S. Central Command and other military forces carried out the strikes near the Strait of Hormuz region [3], [4]. The primary objective of the campaign is to degrade Tehran's ability to attack commercial ships, and to respond to Iranian aggression [5], [6].
This latest wave of attacks marks the third straight night of aerial operations [1]. While some reports described the timeline as the third weekend in a row, military records confirm the nightly cadence of the current strikes [1].
Beyond the kinetic operations, the U.S. is considering new economic measures to secure the waterway. Reports indicate the U.S. plans to charge a 20% toll on ships using the Strait of Hormuz [7]. This move would likely tie maritime security directly to financial compensation for the protection provided by U.S. forces.
U.S. officials said the strikes are necessary to ensure the free flow of commerce. The military continues to monitor Iranian responses as the operations proceed in the region [3], [4].
“The U.S. military conducted a third consecutive night of airstrikes against targets in Iran”
The transition from sporadic skirmishes to consecutive nightly airstrikes suggests a shift toward a more sustained degradation strategy. By combining military force with a proposed 20% maritime toll, the U.S. is attempting to create a sustainable financial and tactical framework for policing the Strait of Hormuz, effectively treating the waterway as a protected zone under U.S. jurisdiction.
