US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it completed the ninth round of nighttime airstrikes on Iran. The operations concluded at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 19.
In a statement, CENTCOM said the strikes targeted command and control centers, air defense systems, coastal surveillance facilities, naval capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communication networks. The statement added that the operations aimed to further diminish Iran's ability to threaten commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement emphasized that the US military holds Iran responsible under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief, and noted that US forces are 'extremely vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready.'
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil shipments pass, is at the center of weeks of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. The US accuses Iran and its affiliated forces of threatening civilian maritime traffic, while Tehran denies the allegations.
The latest strikes followed Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting US military installations and allied interests in the Persian Gulf. US officials said the retaliatory operations aim to degrade Iran's offensive capabilities and safeguard freedom of navigation in the region.
Regional tensions are fueling fears of a wider war, while neighboring countries are stepping up security measures. International leaders are calling for restraint and a revival of diplomatic channels.
US officials underscore that American forces are ready to respond to any threat against US personnel, allies, or international commerce. Washington remains committed to ensuring maritime security and deterring potential Iranian attacks.
