US Military Launches New Strikes on Iran Ahead of Naval Blockade Resumption

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Tuesday that it has initiated a new wave of military strikes against Iran. The operations aim to degrade Iran's capabilities to attack commercial vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. These strikes coincide with preparations to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas, set to begin at 16:00 Eastern Time.

Reports from Iran confirmed multiple explosions near the port city of Bandar Abbas and damage east of the city. Iranian news agencies also reported a missile strike on Qeshm Island, with no casualties or damage to residential and commercial infrastructure. Additionally, explosions were heard in Ahvaz, in southwestern Iran.

Earlier, Kuwait's military reported intercepting five cruise missiles, one ballistic missile, and 33 drones during the evening. Kuwaiti naval vessels were attacked, resulting in injuries to four security personnel. The Kuwaiti military described the Iranian aggression as targeting critical civilian and infrastructure sites, with debris causing property damage.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have destroyed several weapons depots and parts of enemy ships and aircraft at the Shaikh Isa base in Bahrain. They also reported damaging MQ-9 drones at the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, stating these actions were retaliatory responses to the US strikes on Iranian military coastal sites earlier that day.