The United States has launched a fresh round of military strikes against Iran, escalating tensions in the Middle East amid an already volatile security situation.

According to an official statement posted on X by CENTCOM, US forces began the operation at 4 p.m. ET under the direction of the Commander in Chief. The strikes were aimed at further degrading Iranian military capabilities allegedly used to threaten and attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy transit routes.

CENTCOM on X

Soon after the operation began, Iran's state television reported an explosion in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, a key naval and military hub overlooking the Strait of Hormuz.

Separately, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that air defence systems were activated near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on the country's southern coast, indicating heightened military alert as the strikes unfolded.

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Published By:

Zafar Zaidi

Published On:

Jul 21, 2026 02:11 IST