US Central Command (CENTCOM), the agency overseeing US military operations in the Middle East, announced it began striking military targets in Iran on the night of 21/7 (this morning, Hanoi time). This marked the 11th consecutive night of operations against the country since the conflict re-erupted.
"The attacks aimed to weaken Iran's ability to threaten cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz", the statement read.
CENTCOM reported completing the strikes after about an hour, stating it targeted the enemy's "military operations centers, naval capabilities, aircraft hangars, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage facilities, and military infrastructure".
Iran's Fars News Agency reported multiple explosions in Mahshahr city, Khuzestan province, in the southwest of the country. Some explosions also occurred in the southern area of Tabriz city. Air defense systems were activated in northeastern Iran.
These latest strikes followed President Donald Trump's statement on 21/7 that the US would continue attacking Iran. He predicted the West Asian nation would take many years to recover from the war's damage. "If we leave now, Iran will take 20-25 years to rebuild. We are not finished yet", he said, adding that the US would not withdraw its troops.
President Trump made these remarks as the Middle East conflict became a financial burden for the US. During a US congressional hearing on 21/7, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the campaign against Iran had cost approximately 37,5 billion USD, an increase of about 8 billion USD compared to figures released in mid-May.
The conflict also caused significant US casualties. The Pentagon announced on 21/7 that a US service member missing from last week's Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti base in Jordan "is presumed dead". This raises the total number of US service members killed in the Middle East conflict to 18.
CENTCOM previously stated that the attack on Muwaffaq Salti base resulted in two service members killed and one soldier missing. One day later, the command announced the discovery of unidentified remains, and identification efforts are underway.
Satellite images also revealed damage at US-manned bases after Iranian strikes. According to images released by Fars News on 20/7, at least 15 Containerized Housing Units (CHUs) in the barracks area at Muwaffaq Salti base were completely destroyed, with many surrounding structures also showing signs of damage.
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A series of CHUs destroyed at Muwaffaq Salti base in satellite images released on 20/7. Photo: Fars News |
The US and Iran signed a ceasefire agreement in mid-June, allowing the Gulf region to experience three weeks of peace. However, tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz led to a resumption of hostilities between the two sides in recent weeks.
Pham Giang (According to AFP, Al Jazeera, AP)
