US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran After Attacks on Commercial Shipping in Strait of Hormuz

Washington, July 2026 : The United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran after Iranian forces allegedly targeted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions between the two countries and placing their already fragile ceasefire under renewed strain.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the latest military operation began at 5 p.m. Eastern Time under the direction of President Donald Trump, stating that the strikes were aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten civilian vessels and international maritime traffic passing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

In an official statement, CENTCOM said, “At 5 p.m. ET today, US Central Command forces began launching additional strikes against Iran to continue degrading its ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Commander in Chief has directed these strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable.”

According to US media reports, including The Wall Street Journal, the latest operation marked the third round of American strikes within 24 hours. The attacks reportedly focused on military installations and strategic positions near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran’s southern coastline, with a senior US official indicating that the operation was intended to reduce Tehran’s operational capabilities in the region.

The escalation came shortly after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly opened fire on commercial vessels navigating the crucial shipping lane. CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said US forces responded by intercepting and destroying an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone that posed a threat to maritime traffic.

“We’re holding Iran accountable,” Hawkins said, adding that the US military would continue taking action to safeguard freedom of navigation through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

Iranian state media reported explosions in several locations across the southern Hormozgan province, including Jask, Qeshm, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik, following the US strikes. Initial reports indicated that there were no civilian casualties or significant damage to residential or commercial infrastructure.

The latest military action followed another large-scale US offensive earlier on Sunday targeting Iranian missile systems, air-defence installations, and small IRGC naval vessels operating around the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, American forces struck approximately 140 Iranian military targets overnight, taking the total number of targets hit over the past three days to more than 300.

Iran responded by launching attacks on US-linked facilities and regional infrastructure. Kuwait reported material damage at three of its northern border posts after Iranian strikes, while an offshore drilling platform operated by the Kuwait Oil Company was hit by a drone, leaving one worker injured.

Iran claimed it had also targeted US High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers stationed in Kuwait. However, CENTCOM dismissed reports that American personnel had suffered casualties.

“There are zero reports of US service member deaths or injuries anywhere in the region,” the command said in a statement.

The renewed military exchanges have triggered growing international concern. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate halt to all hostilities, expressing alarm over attacks on commercial shipping, US airstrikes inside Iran, and Iranian military operations against neighbouring countries.

“These attacks must all stop,” Guterres said, warning that a return to full-scale conflict would have catastrophic consequences for regional stability, global security, and the international economy. He urged both Washington and Tehran to resume diplomatic negotiations immediately to prevent the crisis from spiralling further.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)