U.S. Military Announces New Strikes on Iran, Says Operations Target Maritime Threats

WASHINGTON (Terror Monitor) — The U.S. military announced that it launched a new round of strikes against Iran at 1:30 p.m. Iran time on Wednesday.

In a statement posted on X, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were aimed at further degrading Iranian military capabilities that it said had been used to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM later said the strikes lasted approximately 90 minutes and targeted Iranian coastal defense systems and a missile storage facility on Greater Tunb Island. The command claimed the operation further reduced Iran's ability to threaten commercial maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.

The latest strikes came as the United States said it had resumed its naval blockade of Iranian ports on July 14, under the direction of the U.S. President and Commander-in-Chief.

CENTCOM released a map identifying Iranian ports and coastal areas covered by the blockade, stating that commercial and cargo vessels would not be permitted to enter or depart from those locations. The command added that U.S. forces would continue supporting maritime traffic complying with the blockade.

In a subsequent statement, CENTCOM said U.S. forces had turned back two commercial vessels that allegedly attempted to violate the blockade during the previous 17 hours, adding that American forces remain prepared to fully enforce the restrictions.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials claimed they were targeting U.S. military installations in several countries across the region, including Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, in response to the American attacks.

Iran also said that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which had formally established a ceasefire between the two countries, was no longer in effect.

The U.S. military has not publicly commented on Iran's statement regarding the ceasefire agreement.

This report is based on official statements issued by U.S. Central Command and claims made by Iranian authorities. Some claims, including those regarding military actions and the status of the ceasefire memorandum, have not been independently verified by Terror Monitor.