The U.S. military confirmed on Sunday the conclusion of its recent series of airstrikes aimed at Iran, targeting around 140 sites. This marks the third set of strikes this week against Iran. According to the U.S. military’s Central Command, the targets included missile and drone launch locations, ammunition storage areas, communication infrastructure, and other sites. The strikes were intended to diminish Iran’s capacity to harm civilian ships and vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The new airstrikes followed an attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was set on fire, leading the crew to evacuate. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that a crew member was missing, and the ship could not continue its journey due to a fire and significant damage to the engine room. The U.S. vowed to impose consequences on Iran for endangering civilian mariners and commercial ships in the strait.
In response, Iran reportedly carried out strikes targeting Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on Sunday morning. CENTCOM released an update stating that they had conducted a third round of strikes against Iran, hitting approximately 140 military targets. These strikes employed precision munitions from various platforms to deter Iran’s ability to threaten civilian ships in the strait.
Despite the tensions, commercial vessels continue to transit through the vital maritime corridor, with U.S. forces aiding in the safe passage of over 800 ships and 400 million barrels of oil since early May. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard closed the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, following an incident where vessels attempted an unauthorized route. The navy warned that no vessels would be permitted to pass until U.S. interventions ceased and threatened further action if provoked.
Additionally, Kuwait’s military reported engaging in air defense operations against an incoming attack.