The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Thursday the initiation of a new series of airstrikes targeting Iran. This marks the fifth consecutive night of bombings since President Donald Trump ended the ceasefire on July 8, according to a report from Fox News correspondent Lucas Tomlinson stationed in Tel Aviv.
The attacks commenced at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time and were still ongoing at the time of reporting, adding to three previous waves conducted on Wednesday. "CENTCOM reports that the airstrikes began approximately 35 minutes ago at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and they appear to be continuing," Tomlinson noted.
F-35 fighter jets, deployed from regional bases, along with F-18s and F-35s from the aircraft carriers USS George H.W. Bush and USS Abraham Lincoln, are actively involved in the operation.
Naval Blockade in the Strait of Hormuz
A pivotal component of the campaign is the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. A video was released showing a tanker with its smokestack destroyed by Hellfire missiles, likely fired from a drone or Apache helicopter. Consequently, Iran has refrained from attacking any commercial vessels in the Strait over the past three days.
White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt confirmed that Iran has shown interest in negotiations, but warned that Trump will not tolerate further aggression. "They have stated a willingness to reach an agreement with the President. We are in talks, but the President will not allow them to fire at ships in the strait without consequences," she stated.
Assessing Military Impact
Levitt further emphasized the cumulative military impact: "Throughout this process, the President has demonstrated, not just to Iran but to the world, that we can strike Iran anytime, anywhere, and their defensive capabilities have been largely dismantled."
However, Tomlinson cautioned about the skepticism surrounding Iranian signals: "We've been here before. We've heard Iran's claims of willingness to talk. The ceasefire ended, and major combat operations have resumed."
Escalation Following the End of the Ceasefire
The conflict reignited on July 8 when Trump declared the end of the Islamabad Memorandum during a NATO summit in Ankara, following attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on July 6 and 7, in blatant violation of the agreement signed on June 17.
Since the resumption of the bombings, the U.S. has targeted over 300 Iranian military objectives within a week, including missile installations, drones, IRGC naval capabilities, ammunition depots, and communication networks. In response, Iran launched attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, resulting in at least one death and 60 injuries.
On Wednesday, Trump convened his security team in the White House Situation Room to plan a broader new offensive phase, potentially involving strikes on Iranian bridges and power plants. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported on Thursday that the bombings hit Qeshm Island and other locations in the southern part of the country.
Key Questions on U.S. Strikes on Iran
Why did the U.S. resume airstrikes on Iran?
The U.S. resumed airstrikes on Iran following the end of the ceasefire declared by President Trump on July 8, after the IRGC attacked three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, violating a previous agreement.
What military assets are involved in the U.S. operation?
The operation involves F-35 fighter jets deployed from regional bases, as well as F-18s and F-35s stationed on the USS George H.W. Bush and USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carriers.
What is the significance of the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz?
The naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz is crucial as it prevents Iran from attacking commercial vessels, maintaining safe passage through a vital global trade route.