Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Jul 24: The United States carried out its 13th consecutive night of military strikes against Iran early Friday, targeting key military infrastructure linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the strikes were aimed at Iranian military command centres, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities.
According to the US military, the operation was intended to further reduce threats posed by Iran to commercial shipping and civilian vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM also said the strategic waterway remains open for navigation despite recent attacks allegedly carried out by the IRGC, adding that commercial vessels continue to transit the strait with support from US forces.
The latest strikes came hours after CENTCOM announced fresh operations targeting what it described as threats to maritime security in the region.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that air defence systems were activated over the capital, Tehran, in response to what authorities described as a "hostile threat."
Explosions were also reported in several parts of the country, including the coastal cities of Konarak and Jask, as well as areas in western, central and southern Iran.
Iranian state media reported blasts near the Strait of Hormuz, including areas around Qeshm Island, Larak Island and Hengam Island. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency claimed the explosions were caused by US missile strikes.
Additional explosions were reported in Ahvaz in southern Iran and near Bandar Abbas, a strategically important port city overlooking the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's official news agency said at least two people were injured in one of the strikes, citing a senior official from Hormozgan Province.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB also claimed that the country's air defence systems intercepted and destroyed an American Tomahawk cruise missile over the central city of Kahnuj. The US military has not commented on the claim.
According to CENTCOM, more than 50,000 US military personnel are currently deployed across the Middle East as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.