US continues strikes on Iran as regional tensions escalate
The United States has carried out a ninth consecutive night of military strikes against Iran, targeting military infrastructure and capabilities linked to attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM said the latest wave of strikes began at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday and targeted military command centres, air defence systems, coastal surveillance sites, missile and drone launch facilities, maritime assets and communications networks. The command said the operations are intended to further reduce Iran's ability to threaten commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the strategic waterway.
Naval blockade tightened
CENTCOM also said US forces are continuing to enforce a naval blockade on vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports. As of July 19, US forces had redirected six commercial ships and disabled one vessel to ensure compliance with the blockade.
The blockade was reinstated last week amid renewed tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf states on alert
Regional tensions intensified further after Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted what it described as hostile drones early Monday. The Kuwaiti military said explosions heard across the country resulted from the interception of the drones.
In neighbouring Bahrain, authorities activated warning sirens and urged residents to seek shelter. No casualties or damage were immediately reported in either country.
Trump defends military action
US President Donald Trump said the latest strikes were carried out in response to the recent deaths of American service members in the Middle East.
Speaking after arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Trump said the US had struck Iran "very hard again" and insisted Tehran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
He also claimed the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz and said Iran has suffered extensive military losses.
US military reports casualties
CENTCOM confirmed that a US service member was killed and another injured in northern Iraq on Saturday during the controlled disposal of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone.
The command also said unidentified human remains had been recovered in Jordan following an Iranian missile and drone attack that previously killed two US service members and left another missing. Identification efforts are continuing.
Iran reports civilian casualties
Iran's Health Ministry said more than 50 people have been killed and over 500 injured in US attacks since June 27. According to the ministry, the dead include five women and two children, while dozens of women and children were among the injured.
The latest escalation comes despite a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding signed in June aimed at ending hostilities between Washington and Tehran. Relations have deteriorated again in recent weeks, with both sides exchanging attacks amid renewed disputes over security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Source:AA
