The United States has initiated a new series of strikes against Iran in an effort to hold the nation accountable, further dampening prospects for an imminent peace agreement. The US Central Command announced on Sunday, July 12, that it had commenced attacks to weaken Iran’s capacity to target ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CENTCOM’s statement posted on X, the strikes began at 5 p.m. ET with the aim of diminishing Iran’s capability to threaten civilian and commercial vessels navigating the strait freely. The decision to launch the strikes was made by the Commander in Chief to ensure Iranian forces face consequences.
Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated since February 28 when joint US-Israeli airstrikes targeted key Iranian locations. In response, Iran closed the vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route through which 20% of global oil trade flows.
Reportedly, the US conducted over 100 strikes in Iran following a missile attack on a vessel in the strait, leading to the crew abandoning the ship as it caught fire. Iran retaliated by targeting locations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, escalating the conflict further.
CENTCOM confirmed hitting approximately 140 targets, focusing on missile and drone launch sites, ammunition depots, and communication facilities. The collapse of the ceasefire agreement last week dashed hopes of resolving the conflict peacefully.
President Trump announced the cancellation of the deal after Tehran’s missile assaults on gas and oil vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The situation remains highly volatile following these recent events.