US Launches Fourth Wave of Strikes Against Iran Near Strait of Hormuz

The United States military has initiated a fourth round of airstrikes targeting Iranian assets in southern Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, marking the latest escalation in a week of intensified conflict. The strikes began overnight between Sunday and Monday, with Iranian state media reporting multiple explosions near the city of Bandar Abbas, specifically in the town of Jask. The US Central Command confirmed the operation, stating the strikes aim to degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial shipping freely transiting the strategic waterway.

This series of attacks follows a recent Iranian assault on the container ship GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz, which caused a fire and disabled the vessel. In response, the US has targeted over 300 Iranian military sites in the past week, including missile and drone facilities, ammunition depots, communication networks, and coastal surveillance stations. US Defense Secretary Pete Gassert described Iran's actions as "a tragic decision" and emphasized that Iran repeatedly failed to comply with a ceasefire memorandum signed just 25 days prior.

Iran condemned the US strikes as acts of military aggression, accusing Washington of violating nearly all terms of the ceasefire agreement and interfering with the Strait of Hormuz's stability. Tehran also alleged that the US used Gulf states' territories and facilities to conduct these attacks, implicating them in what Iran calls an illegal war against its people. Iranian authorities declared a complete closure of the Strait and threatened further attacks on US bases in retaliation.

Meanwhile, Gulf states including Qatar and Kuwait reported intercepting ballistic missiles and defending against aerial attacks amid the heightened tensions. The US continues to maintain a significant naval and air presence in the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and ongoing F-16 patrols. US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker affirmed the administration's commitment to protecting President Trump from Iranian threats and curbing Iran's regional proxies.

The recent escalation effectively marks the collapse of the ceasefire agreement, which President Trump described as "a dead letter" due to Iran's continued hostilities. The situation remains volatile as both sides prepare for potential further confrontations in the strategically critical Persian Gulf region.