SRINAGAR: The United States has carried out a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran, marking the sixth consecutive night of operations targeting Iranian military assets, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
In a statement, CENTCOM said the latest strikes were completed at 9:40 p.m. ET and targeted coastal surveillance and air defence sites, military logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities.
The command said the operation was conducted on the direction of the US President to further degrade Iran’s military capabilities and hold Tehran accountable for recent attacks on commercial shipping.
CENTCOM added that more than 50,000 US service members are currently deployed across the Middle East and remain “vigilant, lethal, and ready.”
The latest strikes come amid rising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, where the United States and Iran have exchanged attacks despite a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding intended to end hostilities and pave the way for a lasting peace agreement.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the renewed US military action followed Iran’s alleged violation of the memorandum.
She said Iran had agreed not to target commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz but had breached that commitment by firing on commercial shipping.
Earlier this week, the United States announced it had resumed a naval blockade of vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas.
According to CENTCOM, US forces redirected three commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade, disabled one vessel that failed to comply, and boarded another to enforce the restrictions.
Addressing the nation on Thursday night, President Donald Trump said the United States was “winning big in Iran” and that the results of the ongoing military campaign would become apparent “very, very shortly.”
Iran, meanwhile, accused the United States of committing “war crimes” by targeting civilian infrastructure during the strikes, alleging that the attacks violated international law and the UN Charter.
