The United States launched another wave of strikes against Iran late Sunday, targeting military sites near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz after Tehran attacked commercial shipping and widened its assault against American-aligned Gulf nations.

U.S. Central Command said the operation began at 5 p.m. Eastern time under orders from President Donald Trump. “At 5 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said. “The Commander in Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable.”

Explosions were reported across southern Iran, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Jask, and Sirik. Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that more than 10 blasts were heard around Bandar Abbas and Sirik, both located near critical Iranian naval and missile infrastructure.

Second Consecutive Night of Strikes

The operation marked the second consecutive night of American strikes and the fourth round of U.S. military action against Iran within a week. Earlier Sunday, CENTCOM said U.S. forces had struck approximately 140 Iranian military targets using precision weapons launched from land- and sea-based aircraft, drones, and naval vessels.

The targets included missile and drone installations, naval capabilities, ammunition depots, communications networks, and coastal surveillance facilities used to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Attack on Cyprus-Flagged Vessel

The latest confrontation followed an attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on a Cyprus-flagged container ship. The vessel suffered extensive engine-room damage and caught fire, leaving it unable to continue its journey. One civilian crew member remained missing.

Iran claimed responsibility for the maritime attack and announced that the Strait of Hormuz was closed to unauthorized traffic. Washington rejected the declaration, insisting the international waterway remained open and that American forces were prepared to protect vessels using it.

The strait is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, carrying a substantial share of global oil and natural-gas shipments. Any sustained Iranian attempt to close it could disrupt international trade and send energy prices sharply higher.

Gulf-Wide Missile and Drone Attacks

Iran also launched missiles and drones toward several countries across the Gulf, with attacks or interception alerts reported in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

Air-defense systems were activated across the region. Explosions were heard over Doha, while the United Arab Emirates said its forces were intercepting missile and drone threats launched from Iranian territory. Sirens also sounded in Bahrain as authorities warned residents of incoming attacks.

A CENTCOM spokesman said American forces had successfully intercepted at least one Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone as Tehran continued targeting military and commercial interests.

Israel Monitoring, Not Yet Involved

The escalating exchange represents a direct challenge to President Trump’s determination to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and prevent Iran from using attacks on civilian vessels as leverage over the United States and its regional allies. Israel is closely monitoring the expanding military confrontation between the United States and Iran but is not currently participating, an Israeli official said Sunday evening.

For now we are outside it, but that could change. Israeli Official · Speaking to YNet News

The comments followed another wave of U.S. strikes against targets across Iran. U.S. Central Command said President Donald Trump ordered the attacks in response to Iranian actions restricting freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes. Iranian media reported multiple explosions, including in Bandar Abbas, a major Iranian port near the entrance to the strait.

Israeli officials believe Tehran is presently seeking to avoid a direct attack on Israel, recognizing that such a move could reignite intense fighting and rapidly expand the conflict. However, Jerusalem’s position could change immediately if Iran strikes Israeli civilians or military targets. According to the official, Israel would enter the campaign if Washington formally requested its assistance or if Tehran directly pulled Israel into the confrontation.

False Report of American Casualties

Tensions briefly rose after Iranian media claimed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had killed three American soldiers in Kuwait. CENTCOM later denied the report, saying all U.S. personnel had been accounted for and that there were no reports of American troops being killed or wounded.

Alleged Assassination Plot in Turkey

The escalation also comes amid intelligence reportedly shared with Washington concerning concrete Iranian preparations to assassinate Trump while he was visiting Turkey. The intelligence allegedly included statements from senior Iranian officials describing the trip as a rare opportunity.

Following the warning, the U.S. Secret Service reportedly moved Trump out of Ankara aboard Air Force One, which is equipped with advanced defensive systems.