US Expands Military Strikes to Tehran Area as Iran Attacks US Base in Kuwait

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the conclusion of a new wave of targeted military strikes against Iranian military sites on July 15, 2026. For the first time in this round, the strikes extended to the Tehran area, targeting command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities. The operations aimed to diminish Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Precision munitions were used, including attacks on Bandar Abbas, a key Iranian port, and on Greater Tunb Island, where US forces targeted coastal defenses and cruise missile sites during a 90-minute assault.

Simultaneously, Iranian forces retaliated by launching missile and drone attacks on US military bases in Kuwait and Jordan, reportedly damaging radar systems. Iran's military spokesman declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed to passage until the US respects Iran's legal and maritime claims, dismissing American attempts to reopen the strait through military pressure.

According to the Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump is considering escalating US military actions against Iran, including increasing airstrikes, deploying ground forces to seize Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz, and bombing a fortified site suspected of secret nuclear activity. Trump has discussed these options with key officials including Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Kane. The recent US strikes are also seen as efforts to degrade Iran's defenses and prepare for potential broader military escalation.