Centcom says US hit more than 170 Iranian military sites in two-day operation

The United States has carried out more than 170 strikes on Iranian military targets along the country's southern coastline near the Strait of Hormuz over the past two days, according to the US military's Central Command (Centcom).

The operation targeted a wide range of military assets, including air defence systems, drone and missile storage facilities, military speed boats, and logistics infrastructure, in what US officials described as an effort to reduce Iran's capability to threaten commercial shipping through one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes.

According to The New York Times, which cited Centcom, the strikes were specifically intended to degrade Iran's ability to launch attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor through which a significant share of the world's oil exports passes.

The operation marks a major escalation in US military action against Iran. The newspaper noted that the number of targets struck during the latest two-day campaign is approximately 14 times greater than the number hit during the previous round of military escalation in June.

The Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint for regional tensions, with repeated concerns over maritime security amid confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and allied naval forces. Any disruption to shipping through the narrow waterway has the potential to affect global energy markets and international trade.

Neither Iranian authorities nor the Iranian military had immediately issued a detailed response to the reported strikes. It also remains unclear whether the operation resulted in casualties or the extent of the damage to the targeted military infrastructure.

The latest military action comes amid heightened tensions in the region and underscores growing concerns over the security of international shipping lanes and the risk of further escalation between Washington and Tehran.