U.S. Launches Fourth Wave of Strikes on Iran

CENTCOM says President Trump ordered the latest operation to defend civilian mariners and preserve freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The United States launched another wave of strikes against Iran late Sunday, targeting military sites near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz after Tehran attacked commercial shipping and widened its assault against American-aligned Gulf nations.

U.S. Central Command said the operation began at 5 p.m. Eastern time under orders from President Donald Trump.

“At 5 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said.

“The Commander in Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable.”

Explosions were reported across southern Iran, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Jask and Sirik. Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that more than 10 blasts were heard around Bandar Abbas and Sirik, both located near critical Iranian naval and missile infrastructure.

The operation marked the second consecutive night of American strikes and the fourth round of U.S. military action against Iran within a week.

Earlier Sunday, CENTCOM said U.S. forces had struck approximately 140 Iranian military targets using precision weapons launched from land- and sea-based aircraft, drones and naval vessels.

The targets included missile and drone installations, naval capabilities, ammunition depots, communications networks and coastal surveillance facilities used to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest confrontation followed an attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on a Cyprus-flagged container ship. The vessel suffered extensive engine-room damage and caught fire, leaving it unable to continue its journey. One civilian crew member remained missing.

Iran claimed responsibility for the maritime attack and announced that the Strait of Hormuz was closed to unauthorized traffic. Washington rejected the declaration, insisting the international waterway remained open and that American forces were prepared to protect vessels using it.

The strait is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, carrying a substantial share of global oil and natural-gas shipments. Any sustained Iranian attempt to close it could disrupt international trade and send energy prices sharply higher.

Iran also launched missiles and drones toward several countries across the Gulf, with attacks or interception alerts reported in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Air-defense systems were activated across the region. Explosions were heard over Doha, while the United Arab Emirates said its forces were intercepting missile and drone threats launched from Iranian territory. Sirens also sounded in Bahrain as authorities warned residents of incoming attacks. (⁠The Guardian)

A CENTCOM spokesman said American forces had successfully intercepted at least one Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone as Tehran continued targeting military and commercial interests.

The escalating exchange represents a direct challenge to President Trump’s determination to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and prevent Iran from using attacks on civilian vessels as leverage over the United States and its regional allies.

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