20 July,2026 11:34 AM IST | Florida | mid-day online correspondent
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The US military has completed its ninth consecutive night of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying the operations were aimed at further degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CENTCOM, the latest round of strikes concluded at 10 pm ET on July 19 (02:00 GMT on July 20) amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
In a statement, CENTCOM said the operations targeted a range of Iranian military assets, including command and control infrastructure and missile capabilities.
According to the US military, the strikes targeted "Iranian military command centres, air defence and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks."
The command said the operations were conducted "to further diminish Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz."
CENTCOM said US forces deployed in the region remain prepared for any further escalation.
"The US military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief's direction."
The command added that "CENTCOM forces remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready."
The latest military action comes amid escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire last month.
According to the report, the conflict has disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest oil shipping routes, while increasing concerns over a broader regional conflict.
The latest strikes followed the confirmation by US authorities of another American service member's death, prompting fresh retaliatory operations.
According to the report, Iran also launched missile salvos towards Jordan, heightening concerns that the conflict could spread further across the region.
Independent activists inside Iran reportedly heard major explosions around 2.30 am local time during the latest phase of the US operation.
CENTCOM reiterated that the campaign is intended to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities that could be used to target commercial shipping and civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz.
US military officials said the latest American fatality occurred in Iraq during the controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone.
The incident followed an earlier Pentagon announcement that US forces had targeted Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in response to the killing of American troops in Jordan.
Officials also said a search operation for a missing service member from Friday's engagement led to the recovery of unidentified human remains, which are undergoing forensic examination.
According to the report, the latest developments bring the reported US military death toll to 17 since the current hostilities began.
The conflict has now entered its second week, with both sides continuing military operations.
According to the report, US forces have carried out strikes on critical Iranian infrastructure, while Iran has expanded its retaliatory attacks by targeting US-allied countries across the Middle East.
Air defence systems have reportedly been activated in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain to intercept incoming Iranian drones and missiles, while Israeli authorities have warned that missile trajectories towards Jordan could increase the risk of the conflict spilling over into Israeli territory.
(With inputs from ANI)
