Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - The US Central Command (CENTCOM) says American forces have carried out a new round of strikes on Iranian military targets, part of an ongoing campaign it describes as aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and regional security.

According to CENTCOM’s statement, US forces used a mix of fighter jets, drones and naval assets to hit multiple Iranian military sites, including air‑defence systems, coastal surveillance positions, logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities. CENTCOM frames the strikes as “precision” attacks ordered by the Commander in Chief and linked to recent Iranian actions against international commercial vessels, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz. It says the campaign has already involved several consecutive nights of operations, targeting dozens if not hundreds of sites to reduce Iran’s capacity to launch missiles and drones at civilian shipping.

The announcement underscores how the confrontation between the US and Iran has increasingly focused on control of key sea lanes and the safety of merchant ships. CENTCOM portrays the strikes as defensive and retaliatory, arguing that they are intended to hold Iran accountable for attacks on foreign‑flagged tankers and cargo vessels. Iran, for its part, typically condemns such actions as violations of its sovereignty and may threaten counter‑measures, raising fears of escalation.

CENTCOM’s announcement that US forces have launched fresh strikes on Iranian military targets highlights a continuing cycle of action and retaliation between Washington and Tehran. As operations expand in scope and duration, the risk of broader escalation grows, even as US officials insist the strikes are narrowly focused on protecting commercial shipping and deterring further attacks.L