US Intensifies Operations Against Iran as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate

Washington, March 2026: The United States Central Command has continued its military operations aimed at weakening Iran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement released on Monday.

Commander Brad Cooper said the United States remains committed to protecting freedom of navigation in the region. In a video message posted on the social media platform X, Cooper stated that American forces would continue to act swiftly to weaken Iran’s capabilities in and around the vital maritime passage.

“We will continue to rapidly deplete Iran’s ability to threaten the freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz,” Cooper said. However, he did not provide specific details about how the United States plans to reopen the strait, which has effectively been closed due to escalating hostilities.

According to Cooper, a major US strike carried out on Friday targeted Kharg Island, a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports. The attack reportedly destroyed more than 90 military targets, including storage bunkers believed to house naval mines and missile systems.

Over the past 16 days, US forces have conducted more than 6,000 combat missions as part of the ongoing campaign. Cooper claimed that these operations resulted in the destruction of more than 100 Iranian naval vessels. During the same period, Iran allegedly launched hundreds of missiles and drones at targets located in around 12 countries across the region, intensifying fears of a broader conflict.

The escalating confrontation follows the large-scale military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, which disrupted global shipping routes and contributed to rising oil prices and increased volatility in the global economy.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Monday that it had destroyed an aircraft believed to be used by Iran’s top leadership at Mehrabad International Airport. Israeli officials said the strike was intended to disrupt coordination between Tehran and its regional allies.

In a statement, the IDF said the aircraft was used by senior Iranian political and military leaders for both domestic and international travel. By eliminating the plane, Israel claimed it had hindered communication between Iran’s leadership and allied groups in the region, potentially slowing Tehran’s efforts to rebuild its military capabilities.

The aircraft was identified as an Airbus A340 that had previously transported senior officials, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and, in the past, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, on diplomatic missions abroad. Iranian authorities did not immediately confirm the reported strike.

Located in western Tehran, Mehrabad Airport is one of the oldest aviation hubs in the Iranian capital. While Imam Khomeini International Airport handles most long-haul international flights, Mehrabad remains Iran’s busiest domestic airport and also houses military facilities, including units of the Iranian Air Force.

Separately, the IDF reported that it carried out additional strikes on targets in the Iranian cities of Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. The attacks come as the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran entered its 17th day, further heightening tensions across the Middle East.

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