US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the launch of a new wave of strikes against Iran in the early hours of Monday, marking the ninth consecutive night of military action. These operations targeted various military sites and communications networks, with the stated goal of diminishing Tehran's ability to attack vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports from Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency indicated that several cities were impacted by the strikes, specifically identifying Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr, and Bandar Imam Khomeini. Explosions were reported across multiple locations, and state media alleged that two oil tankers exploded while attempting to transit the strait. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the vessels were traveling through an "unsafe and hazardous" route when they were struck and halted. However, Centcom has disputed these claims.
In response to the ongoing US military activity, the IRGC warned that the Strait of Hormuz would remain unsafe for the transit of oil, gas, and petrochemical products as long as the strikes continue, pledging a "punitive operation" in return. Iran further asserted that it had carried out a "surprise attack" in Syria and targeted US aircraft stationed at Jordan’s Aqaba airport. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti armed forces reported that they had intercepted Iranian drones.
The escalation follows a series of lethal attacks on American troops. Over the weekend, the US confirmed a service member was killed in northern Iraq. This occurred one day after an attack on a base in Jordan resulted in the deaths of two other US soldiers. Another soldier was reported missing, with officials noting that the verification of "unidentified remains" found at the site is currently underway.
Despite the intensifying conflict, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US "always remains open to a diplomatic solution." Rubio emphasized that the international community must determine whether it will allow Iran to maintain control over a critical global waterway, accusing Tehran of using the shipping route as leverage.
