Missile bases, drone sites, ammo depots hit as US strikes 140 targets in Iran
Iran retaliates with strikes on US targets (photo: Getty Images)
The United States carried out and completed its third strike on Iran in a week overnight on July 12. This time, approximately 140 military targets across Iran were hit, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The statement says the US operation was launched in response to an Iranian attack on another commercial vessel that had attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz overnight.
"US forces hit approximately 140 Iranian military targets with precision munitions launched by land- and sea-based fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels," CENTCOM said.
The targets included:
- Iranian missile and drone bases
- Naval facilities
- Ammunition depots
- Communications networks
- Coastal surveillance and intelligence sites.
CENTCOM also said that over three nights of strikes this week, US forces have hit more than 300 targets in an effort to degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the strait.
"Since early May, US forces have helped facilitate the successful transit of more than 800 commercial vessels and 400 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz," the command added.
Response by Iran
Iranian media, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that Tehran retaliated by striking a US military communications facility and a US radar site in Bahrain, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and US aircraft carrier refueling platforms at the Port of Duqm in Oman.
Iran also called on the United States to abide by the terms of the memorandum of understanding, arguing that Washington's involvement through an illegal corridor in the Strait of Hormuz undermines regional security.
Background
Overnight, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after a vessel allegedly attempted to pass through the waterway via an unauthorized route. Iranian forces attacked and stopped the ship.
The United States subsequently announced the launch of a third round of strikes against Iran in response to the attack on the vessel.
US officials also said that Iran had attacked the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy. One crew member is reported missing.
