US Military Completes New Round of Strikes on Iran Amid Rising Tensions in Strait of Hormuz

The US Central Command announced it has completed another series of airstrikes targeting dozens of Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran's coastline. The strikes involved fighter jets, drones, and warships launching precision munitions against Iranian missile and drone facilities. This marks the fourth consecutive day of US attacks aimed at degrading Iran's capabilities to threaten commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.

The US military targeted oil fields in Iran's southwestern Ahvaz province near the Iraqi border, including the city of Abadan, home to the Middle East's oldest oil refinery, and the petrochemical hub of Mahshahr. President Donald Trump stated in a Fox News interview that the US would escalate attacks next week to include power plants and bridges if Iran does not return to negotiations. He emphasized the US goal to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump convened a high-level White House meeting with senior national security officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Keane, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and others. The discussion focused on plans for a broader wave of strikes against strategic Iranian targets beyond the current operations.

Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at US bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Jordanian forces intercepted three missiles. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards warned that military actions would continue and threatened to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the US ceases hostile activities. The US Central Command also renewed its naval blockade on Iranian vessels departing Iranian ports, deploying over 20 warships and hundreds of aircraft across the Middle East, maintaining a high state of readiness.

This escalation follows the US-imposed blockade on Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit route, amid rising tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional influence.