US forces launch 12th night of strikes on Iranian military targets
Overnight strikes mark latest phase in US effort to secure regional waters
US Central Command forces began a new round of strikes against Iranian military targets overnight on Thursday (July 23), the military said, as part of an ongoing campaign to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in regional waters.
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In a post on X, CentCom stated that strikes commenced at 5:30 pm ET on Wednesday July 22 (1.30am Gulf Standard Time on July 23, 2026) , and “will continue to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters.”
The announcement comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, with repeated American strikes, now on its 12th night since fighting resumed.
CentCom has conducted multiple rounds of operations targeting Iranian command centres, air defenses, missile and drone sites, coastal facilities and communications networks.
Iran state media reported early Thursday (Tehran time) that the cities of Ramshir and Ahvaz, in the country's southwest, were under "missile attack by the US terrorist enemy," while authorities in Bushehr province, along Iran's Gulf coast, reported an attack there by a US missile.
Response to attacks on ships in Hormuz
These actions followed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and other incidents involving ballistic missiles and drones.
US officials have framed the campaign as necessary to protect freedom of navigation and international shipping after Iran allegedly violated agreements and directly targeted civilian mariners.
Iran has reported casualties and damage from the strikes, while the US has also reported service member losses in related defensive actions.
The latest strikes represent the continuation of a sustained US military response in the CentCom area of responsibility, where American forces have also defended against Iranian drones and missiles while supporting partner nations.
