WASHINGTON: The United States military has carried out a third consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets, acting on the orders of President Donald Trump, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
In a statement posted on Monday, CENTCOM said the latest operation began at 4:45 p.m Eastern Time (ET) and formed part of an ongoing campaign aimed at imposing significant costs on Iranian forces while reducing their ability to threaten civilians and international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
At 4:45 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief’s direction. These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026
US military says latest round of attacks on Iran now over
Later, CENTCOM confirmed that the operation concluded at 10:15 p.m ET on July 13 following a mission lasting around five hours.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 14, 2026
According to the US military, American forces conducted precision strikes on a series of Iranian military targets across Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa and Bandar Abbas. The operation focused on coastal defence systems, missile and drone installations, as well as maritime capabilities that Washington says have been used to threaten commercial shipping.
CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to further degrade Iran’s military capacity to conduct attacks against vessels operating in one of the world’s busiest and most strategically important waterways.
The US military also said that more than 50,000 American service personnel remain deployed across the Middle East, adding that US forces are “vigilant, lethal and ready” to respond to any further developments.
The latest operation marks the third straight day of US military action against Iran, signalling a sustained campaign amid heightened regional tensions.
Trump says US hitting Iran ‘very heavy tonight’
Earlier on Monday, US President Donald Trump said that US is “hitting them very heavy tonight” in response to a question from a reporter at the White House.
“We have tremendous amounts of ammunition… and it’ll continue, and we’ll see what happens. But we’re knocking out all of their offensive capability, and we’re controlling the strait,” Trump said.
“We’re putting the blockade back and it’s a blockade not for anybody but Iran.”
Iran’s military warns US against Strait of Hormuz ‘interference’
Iran’s military has warned that it will not allow the US to “interfere” in the management of the Strait of Hormuz – after Trump said the US would reinstate its naval blockade on Iranian ports and become the “guardian” of the strategically vital waterway.
UAE vows right to respond after deadly tanker attack
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has vowed to take “all necessary measures” after two of its national oil tankers were struck by what it said were Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, an attack that killed one crew member and injured eight others.
In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were targeted while sailing through Omani territorial waters.
According to the ministry, the attack claimed the life of an Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa tanker. Eight others were injured, including four who sustained serious wounds. The injured comprise six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals.
The missile strikes also caused significant material damage to both vessels after fires broke out on board. The ministry said the fires have since been brought under control.
Condemning the incident in the strongest terms, the UAE described the attack as a “blatant assault” and a “serious violation and clear breach of international law”, warning that it poses a direct threat to regional security and stability.
The ministry stressed that the UAE reserves its full right to respond to what it called a dangerous escalation. It said the country would take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, protect its citizens and residents, and defend its national interests.
It further stated that the armed forces remain at the highest level of operational readiness and are fully prepared to confront any threat that could undermine the country’s security and stability.
The ministry also urged the public to rely solely on official sources for updates and to avoid sharing rumours or unverified information.
The reported attack comes amid heightened tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes for global energy supplies.
Any disruption in the waterway carries significant implications for international shipping and regional security.
