Tensions rise in West Asia as CENTCOM informs fresh wave of US strikes against Iran
Florida, July 15
The US Central Command on Wednesday said that it launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran targeting the country's military capabilities, which CENTCOM claimed were used by Iran to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
This is the second wave of strikes by Washington, which struck Tehran.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said, "At 6 a.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching a wave of strikes against Iran. The strikes are designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."
The development follows after CENTCOM said earlier that US forces carried out another round of strikes against Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran's coast, targeting missile and drone sites, naval capabilities and coastal defence systems in a seven-hour operation aimed at degrading Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping.
In a statement, CENTCOM said it completed the additional wave of strikes at 10 p.m. ET on July 14 (Tuesday), with US fighter aircraft, drones and naval vessels launching precision munitions against dozens of military targets.
"US fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels launched precision munitions against Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defence systems during the seven-hour wave to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews," the statement said.
CENTCOM added that the strikes took place on the same day US forces resumed a naval blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. According to the statement, the blockade came into effect at 4 p.m. ET on July 14 (Tuesday)."The strikes took place the same day US forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The blockade went into effect at 4 p.m. ET today," it said.
Reaffirming the US military's operational posture, CENTCOM said, "US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander in Chief."
As hostilities continue in the region, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported on Wednesday that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the national army have announced a series of missile and drone strikes against US military positions across Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, describing the attacks as retaliation for American strikes on Iranian territory.
In several statements by the IRGC issued early on Wednesday, it claimed the destruction of key US military infrastructure, including a Patriot air defence complex, a satellite communications centre, and HIMARS rocket launch platforms in Kuwait. The attacks were carried out under "Operation Nasr 2" in the IRGC's "seventh wave" of retaliation, Press TV reported.
According to Press TV, the IRGC in a separate statement addressed to the people of Jordan, the IRGC said its forces "smashed the hangars of F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighter jets and destroyed a number of MQ-9 strategic drones" at the US base in al-Azraq, Jordan.
The Iranian broadcaster also said that the IRGC claimed of strikes on the US Fifth Fleet's facilities in Bahrain.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday that GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi has condemned Iranian attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, including strikes on infrastructure and facilities that injured Kuwaiti military personnel.
— ANI
Reader Comments
First Ukraine, now this. The world is becoming a powder keg. 😔 As an Indian, I feel we should stay neutral and focus on our own security and economy. These wars never end well for ordinary people. Our diaspora in the Gulf must be terrified right now.
The US says it's defending commercial shipping, but bombing another country's military targets is an act of war. What about international law? Meanwhile, Iran claims it destroyed Patriot systems and F-35 hangars - if true, that's a massive escalation. India should immediately evacuate its citizens from the region.
Why is the US always playing world police? 🤷♂️ They sanction Iran, bomb them, and then wonder why there's retaliation. India needs to strengthen ties with Russia and China to balance against US unilateralism. We also need to fast-track renewable energy to reduce dependence on Gulf oil. This is a wake-up call.
Sad to see innocent people caught in the crossfire. The GCC condemning Iran shows this is splitting the Arab world too. India should call for an immediate ceasefire and UN intervention. We lost thousands of workers during the Gulf War era - can't afford a repeat with 8 million Indians working there today.
The US blockade is basically strangling Iran's economy. And Iran's retaliation against Kuwait and Bahrain? That's targeting other sovereign nations. This entire region is a mess. India must activate its diplomatic channels immediately - our External Affairs Ministry should be working overtime on this.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.