US strikes 140 Iranian military targets; CENTCOM says over 300 sites hit this week

TAMPA, Jul 12: The US military carried out a third round of strikes against Iranian military targets this week, hitting approximately 140 sites in response to an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

According to CENTCOM, the latest operation targeted Iranian missile and drone launch sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks, and coastal surveillance positions.

The command said that over the course of three nights of operations, US forces have struck more than 300 targets under orders from President Donald Trump, with the stated objective of degrading Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

"During three nights of strikes this week, CENTCOM has struck more than 300 targets at the direction of the Commander in Chief to degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels freely transiting the strait. Commercial vessel transits through the vital international maritime corridor continue," CENTCOM said in a post on X.

The strikes come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf following a series of attacks on commercial shipping, with Washington stating that the operations are aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation through one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes.