WASHINGTON: The United States military said it carried out a new wave of retaliatory airstrikes against Iran, targeting more than 80 military sites after accusing Tehran of attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement issued today, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the July 7 operation used precision-guided munitions to strike military infrastructure that it said threatened international shipping through the strategic waterway.
CENTCOM said the targets included air defence systems, command-and-control facilities, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile positions and more than 60 small boats operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military alleged that Iranian forces recently attacked three commercial vessels transiting the strait. It identified the ships as the Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, the Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan and the Liberian-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity.
Washington described the incidents as “unwarranted” acts of aggression. It accused Tehran of violating the ceasefire and said the attacks threatened freedom of navigation and global maritime trade.
CENTCOM said the operation aimed to reduce Iran’s ability to launch further attacks on commercial shipping. It added that US forces remain ready to respond to any future violations.
“US forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable when the agreement is not adhered to or obeyed,” CENTCOM said.
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The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. A large share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes through the narrow waterway each day. Any disruption can affect international trade and global energy markets.
Iran had not immediately responded to the US allegations or commented on the reported strikes at the time of publication.
