The United States has carried out a new wave of airstrikes against Iran, targeting nearly 90 military sites along the country's southern coastline in an effort to weaken Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation struck a range of military assets, including air defence systems, coastal surveillance facilities, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities and military logistics infrastructure. The strikes were aimed at reducing Iran's capacity to disrupt maritime traffic along one of the world's busiest oil transit routes.

The latest operation came just a day after US forces launched attacks on more than 80 targets across Iran, marking the second consecutive night of American military action against the country, Al Jazeera reported.

CENTCOM said the strikes were ordered by US President Donald Trump as part of efforts to further degrade Iran's military capabilities and safeguard freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supplies.

Iranian media reported explosions in several coastal and southern cities, including Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Chabahar, Konarak, Iranshahr, Sirik, Jask, Abu Musa Island, Qeshm Island and Aqqala.

In Iranshahr, state media said an airport facility was struck, killing at least one firefighter and injuring several others. Reports from Chabahar said two docks, a maritime traffic control tower and a storage depot were damaged in the attacks. Shrapnel reportedly hit Imam Ali Hospital, while damage to power lines caused widespread electricity outages across the city.

In Aqqala, authorities said the Aq Tekeh Khan railway bridge was also hit during the strikes. Officials in Bushehr, however, said the city's nuclear power plant was not damaged.

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had retaliated by launching attacks on US military facilities in the region, including Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, as well as Juffair and Sheikh Isa bases in Bahrain.

The latest exchange marks a significant escalation in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, raising concerns over regional stability and the security of international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

BOB Post