U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that, on the orders of the President, American forces launched new airstrikes against Iran at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
According to CENTCOM, the strikes were intended to reduce threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to respond to actions by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Washington accuses of carrying out attacks against U.S. forces.
CENTCOM also said that, as part of its ongoing maritime operations, five commercial vessels had been redirected and one vessel had been rendered inoperable by July 18.
Meanwhile, the Central Headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that it would respond forcefully and decisively to any attack or what it described as “hostile action.”
The headquarters stated that Iran’s armed forces would use all available capabilities to defend the country’s security and national interests, adding that any act of aggression would face serious consequences.