The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out yet another round of airstrikes against Iran on Wednesday, marking twelve consecutive nights of military operations targeting sites within Iranian territory.
According to a CENTCOM statement released on social media platform X, the most recent strikes were initiated at 5:30 p.m. and concluded by 10:30 p.m. the same day, following direct orders from the Commander-in-Chief.
The targets struck included Iranian maritime assets, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense resources.
The U.S. military emphasized that these operations aim to "further weaken Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels navigating regional waters."
Ongoing Naval Blockade and Strategic Impact
In addition to the aerial bombardments, the U.S. has maintained a naval blockade against Iran, which was reinstated on July 14 after being lifted on June 19 as part of a peace agreement brokered in Switzerland.
By the end of Wednesday, CENTCOM reported having redirected nine commercial ships and rendered one inoperative to block maritime traffic to or from Iranian ports.
This month alone, U.S. forces have targeted numerous Iranian military installations on land, with hits recorded in locations such as Qeshm, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, and Abu Musa, among other southern regions of the country.
Over 50,000 U.S. troops remain stationed throughout the Middle East, described by CENTCOM as "highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready."
Background and Escalation of Hostilities
The resumption of hostilities followed the collapse of a ceasefire agreement reached in June. On July 6 and 7, Iran attacked commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting President Trump to declare the pact "terminated" on July 8 and to order renewed military actions.
On July 18, Iran formally announced its suspension of commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum, the document that had served as the basis for the cessation of hostilities.
This new phase of conflict is part of Operation Epic Fury, launched collaboratively by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, 2026, which hit over 1,000 Iranian targets within its first 24 hours and amassed more than 13,000 attacks before strategic goals were declared achieved in April of that year.
According to Reuters, there is no indication that these operations will cease in the near future unless Iran shows willingness to resume its commitments under the peace agreement.
Key Developments in U.S.-Iran Tensions
What are the main targets of the U.S. airstrikes in Iran?
The U.S. airstrikes have primarily targeted Iranian maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense systems.
Why did the U.S. reinstate a naval blockade against Iran?
The naval blockade was reinstated to curb maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports and to exert pressure on Iran following the collapse of a previous peace agreement.
How has Iran responded to the U.S. military actions?
Iran responded by suspending its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum, escalating tensions further with the U.S.