US military hits 140 Iran targets in latest wave with Strait of Hormuz closed again

The U.S. military announced Sunday that it had concluded its most recent wave of airstrikes against Iran, having struck approximately 140 targets — marking the third consecutive round of military action against Iran within the week.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that the targeted sites included missile and drone launch facilities, ammunition stockpiles, communications infrastructure and additional installations. Officials stated the strikes “degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels freely transiting the Strait” of Hormuz.

The latest offensive followed an assault by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which ignited a fire aboard the vessel and compelled its crew to evacuate.

In a post on X, CENTCOM stated: “A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engine room damage. The United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait.”

Iran reportedly retaliated with strikes directed at Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Sunday morning. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) issued an update this evening, stating: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) completed a third round of strikes this week against Iran, July 11, holding Iranian forces accountable for attacking another commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces hit approximately 140 Iranian military targets with precision munitions launched by land- and sea-based fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels.

“Targets included Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks, and coastal surveillance locations. During three nights of strikes this week, CENTCOM has struck more than 300 targets at the direction of the Commander in Chief to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels freely transiting the strait.

“Commercial vessel transits through the vital international maritime corridor continue. Since early May, U.S. forces have helped facilitate the successful transit of more than 800 commercial vessels and 400 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz.”

According to Iranian state media, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) announced the Strait of Hormuz is closed until further notice.

The IRGC navy asserted the closure came after multiple vessels attempted to navigate an “unapproved route” through the strait. Iran’s state-owned broadcaster IRIB published a statement on Telegram in which the country’s navy confirmed that one of the vessels had been struck by a warning shot and brought to a halt.

“The Strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice and until the end of the US interventions in this area and no vessel will be allowed to pass,” the statement said.

The statement further cautioned that should the closure trigger “new aggression against” Iran, additional regional bases would be targeted.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s military has confirmed that its air defense systems are actively engaging an incoming attack.