The United States has launched a new round of military strikes against multiple targets in Iran, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The attack comes just hours after heightened tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, where a US military helicopter was downed amid confrontation with Iranian forces.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that its forces carried out “self-defense strikes” targeting Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication infrastructure, and air defense installations. The strikes began at approximately 5:15 PM ET and were executed under the authorization of President Donald Trump.
In a statement, CENTCOM said that precision munitions were deployed by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Army against Iranian positions that posed risks to American personnel and international commercial vessels navigating the Gulf waters. The operation was described as a direct response to what the U.S. termed “unwarranted and continued aggression” by Iran.
Earlier, President Trump warned that Iran would “pay the price” for its actions, stating that Tehran had taken too long to reach a deal to end the conflict. In a Fox News interview, he confirmed that 49 Tomahawk missiles were used in the latest offensive, complemented by fighter jet bombing runs.
Iran has not yet provided an official statement on the latest U.S. strikes, but the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has previously vowed to leave no attack unanswered. In the past 48 hours, the IRGC has targeted U.S. military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, and claimed to have attacked two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest round of hostilities threatens to derail ongoing diplomatic efforts and could push the region closer to a full-scale conflict. Global markets are already reacting, with oil prices rising sharply amid fears of further disruption to one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.
