The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a new wave of air and missile strikes against military targets inside Iranian territory, for the twelfth consecutive night. Military sources clarified that the attacks began at 5:30 PM Eastern Time, targeting strategic sites belonging to the Revolutionary Guard and the Iranian army.
Sources confirmed that these operations are directly aimed at reducing Tehran's ability to threaten international navigation and commercial vessels in vital waterways in the region. These military movements come amid unprecedented escalating tension, as Washington seeks to impose a new deterrence equation to prevent the targeting of civilian tankers in regional waters.
On the Iranian side, official media reported hearing violent explosions shaking the city of Sirik in the south of the country, in addition to similar explosions in the city of Ramshir in Khuzestan province (Ahvaz). Iranian authorities have not yet issued a detailed statement clarifying the extent of human or material losses resulting from this new wave of bombardment.
In a related context, local sources in the coastal city of Bushehr stated that at least two explosions occurred in the vicinity of the city, which includes nuclear and vital facilities. The governor of Bushehr later indicated in statements that one of the missiles directly targeted a power generation plant located in the area surrounding the Bushehr nuclear power plant, raising concerns about the safety of energy infrastructure.
CENTCOM clarified that the list of targets hit by the bombardment included advanced military operations centers and offensive naval capabilities, in addition to aircraft hangars and facilities designated for storing drones. The strikes also targeted logistical infrastructure used by Iranian forces in managing their regional operations and securing their military supplies.
Washington justified this widespread military escalation with claims that Iran had attacked more than 30 commercial vessels during the past three months while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM considered these Iranian attacks to be a direct threat to the global economy and energy security, necessitating a firm military response to undermine these offensive capabilities.
Despite the intensity of the airstrikes, American sources confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping and international tankers under the protection of joint forces. Military data indicated that since early May, the United States has contributed to facilitating the passage of approximately 900 commercial vessels carrying nearly 450 million barrels of crude oil.
In contrast, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned against international vessels resorting to using alternative routes within the Strait of Hormuz, considering that such steps could lead to dire and unexpected consequences. Tehran insists on its right to supervise navigation in the strait, which Washington rejects and considers mere baseless claims on the ground.
The region is witnessing a state of open attrition between the two sides, as Tehran periodically responds by targeting military bases and facilities it claims are linked to the United States in neighboring countries. These developments come hours after CENTCOM announced the completion of the eleventh wave of strikes, indicating an accelerating pace of direct confrontation that could escalate into a broader regional conflict.
International circles are watching this continuous escalation with great concern, amidst the absence of any indications of an imminent de-escalation between Washington and Tehran, given each side's insistence on its position. While American missiles continue to target Iranian depth, questions remain about the extent to which these strikes can achieve their strategic objectives without sliding into an all-out war.
The mission will continue to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters.
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12th Night of Escalation: US Strikes Target Military Sites and Energy Facilities in Iran