US military launches fresh strikes on Iran, targeting threat to Strait of Hormuz shipping

CENTCOM launched additional strikes against Iran on Sunday (local time) to counter threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM, which is conducting the war against Iran, posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account that it had "initiated additional strikes at 5 p.m. Eastern time (6 a.m. Monday Korean Standard Time) to continue degrading Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and merchant vessels transiting freely through the Strait of Hormuz."

CENTCOM added that "the commander in chief directed strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable," signaling that President Donald Trump had ordered the resumption of strikes.

The United States has been striking Iran since Tuesday, July 7, when Iranian forces attacked a commercial vessel attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded by declaring retaliation and continuing to target US military bases across the Middle East. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Sunday that it was imposing a full blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while hardliners inside Iran have been calling in growing numbers for revenge for the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.