The US has carried out strikes on Iranian military targets for the second time in 24 hours
The US Central Command has announced a second wave of strikes on Iranian territory within 24 hours, according to DW.
CENTCOM stated that the strikes were directed against Iranian military targets which, according to US assessments, are obstructing the free passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The command also noted that the United States is “holding Iran to account on the orders of the Commander-in-Chief”.
According to CENTCOM, during the second wave of strikes, US forces attacked command posts, air defence facilities, missile and drone systems, as well as coastal surveillance assets.
Iranian news agencies reported that during the first wave of strikes, targets were hit in the port area of Sirika on the coast of the Strait of Hormuz, near the port of Bandar Abbas, near the island of Qeshm, as well as in the cities of Ahvaz, Rasak and the port of Kenarak. According to their reports, one of the strikes partially damaged a fishmeal production plant near the island of Qeshm.
According to CENTCOM, the US military also attacked the empty oil tanker M/T Belma, flying the Curaçao flag, which was en route to Kharq Island. The command stated that, after the vessel ignored warnings, a military aircraft fired Hellfire missiles at its funnel, putting it out of action.
CENTCOM reported that on 14 July, the United States resumed its naval blockade of vessels heading to or leaving Iranian ports. According to the command, two commercial vessels were diverted during the first 24 hours, and force was used against one vessel.
Iranian state agencies reported retaliatory strikes on US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. According to their reports, explosions were heard near the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and at a US base in Kuwait. Iranian media also claimed that an American MQ-9 drone had been destroyed by the air defence forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to reports from Iranian news agencies, Saudi Arabia and Jordan have partially closed their airspace in the wake of these events.
CENTCOM stated that there were no reports of civilian casualties.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that the United States had achieved the main objectives of the operation against Iran, but would continue and intensify strikes in the coming days to force Tehran back to the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, US Vice-President J.D. Vance said that the situation regarding Iran remains complex, but, in his view, the process is moving in the right direction. He noted that Washington is simultaneously applying economic pressure and holding talks with representatives of the Iranian leadership.
