US Launches Third Wave of Strikes on Iranian Targets Near Strait of Hormuz

U.S. military forces on Saturday conducted another series of strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes were in response to a missile attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that severely damaged a commercial cargo ship.

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces struck approximately 140 Iranian military targets using precision-guided munitions launched from ground- and sea-based fighter jets, drones, and naval vessels. The targets included Iranian radar stations for air and ground surveillance, missile and drone storage facilities, launch sites, and surface-to-air missile launchers.

The IRGC claimed it had warned several ships against using an unauthorized route and fired a "warning shot" after a cargo vessel failed to change course. "Following this incident, the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice and until the end of U.S. interventions in the region," the IRGC stated. "No vessel will be allowed to pass through."

This marks the third series of U.S. strikes within a week in response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships near the strait. Previous strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday hit dozens of Iranian targets. Tehran retaliated with attacks on U.S. assets in the Middle East.

Also on Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury revoked a license that allowed Iran to sell oil globally under a memorandum of understanding. Media reports indicate that the Trump administration is demanding that Iran issue a public statement recognizing that the Strait of Hormuz is open and committing to stop attacks on merchant ships.