The United States conducted a third consecutive night of military strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure early Tuesday, as escalating tensions over the strategic Strait of Hormuz threatened the security of global commercial shipping. The operations, authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump, are intended to impose a significant cost on Iranian forces and diminish their capacity to launch attacks.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the latest strikes commenced at 4:45 p.m. ET on Monday. CENTCOM stated on the social media platform X that these actions would continue to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian and commercial vessels in the vital waterway. A U.S. official, speaking to CNN, indicated that targets included Iranian military assets such as coastal surveillance systems, drone capabilities, and missile infrastructure.
Iranian state media reported multiple explosions across the southern regions of the country following the U.S. operations. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) documented three explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas, with the provincial government of Hormozgan reporting a projectile impact in the western part of the city. No immediate casualties were confirmed. The semi-official Fars News Agency also noted explosions on the islands of Kish, Qeshm, and Abu Musa, as well as in Jam and Kangan in Bushehr province.
This latest military engagement follows a period of increasing confrontation between Washington and Tehran concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies typically transit. Prior to the strikes, President Trump announced plans to reimpose a blockade on Iranian shipping and levy a 20 percent charge on cargo traversing the Strait. Trump stated on the social media platform Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open, with or without Iran’s cooperation, and declared the reinstatement of an “Iranian Blockade.” He also indicated that the United States would collect the fee as a measure of fairness for regional security and warned of further military action.
In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, as reported by Reuters, Trump vowed to strike Iran “very hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow.” Speaking to reporters separately, he reiterated that U.S. operations were targeting Iran’s offensive capabilities and would persist. Iran, however, rejected the U.S. stance, asserting its sovereign authority to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described Iran as the “guardian” of the waterway and criticized the proposed transit fee.
Concurrently, the U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) announced the implementation of a maritime blockade affecting Iranian ports, oil terminals, and coastal areas, effective Tuesday. This measure specifically targets vessels entering or departing Iranian ports, while transit through the strait to non-Iranian destinations will be permitted. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has previously expressed opposition to mandatory transit charges in international waterways, citing a lack of legal basis for such impositions.
The renewed military escalation has amplified concerns regarding regional stability. Global markets and shipping operators are closely observing the unfolding situation. Oil prices saw a significant increase of over 9 percent on Monday, with Brent crude reaching its highest level since June 12 amid apprehension over potential prolonged disruptions to energy supplies.
The Chenab Times News Desk