The United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran on 13 July after Iranian forces fired on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, further destabilising a fragile ceasefire between the two countries. It was the third American strike wave in a single 24-hour period, according to reports citing senior US officials.

What US Central Command Said

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation began at 5 p.m. ET, stating its forces had commenced strikes 'to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz.' CENTCOM added that 'the Commander in Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable.'

CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said US aircraft intercepted and shot down an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone around the same time as the strikes. 'We're holding Iran accountable,' Hawkins said.

Scale and Targets of the Strikes

The latest strikes focused on areas near the strait and along Iran's coast, according to reports citing a senior US official. Earlier that same day, US forces had struck Iranian missile and air-defence systems as well as small Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boats around the Strait of Hormuz.

According to reports, US forces had struck approximately 140 Iranian military targets overnight, bringing the cumulative total over three nights to more than 300 targets.

Explosions Reported Across Southern Iran

Iranian state media reported explosions in Jask, Qeshm, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik — all located in southern Iran's Hormozgan province. No civilian casualties or damage to residential or commercial infrastructure were initially reported, according to media reports.

CENTCOM firmly rejected Iranian claims that American troops had been killed in the exchange. 'There are zero reports of US service member deaths or injuries in the region,' it stated.

Iran's Retaliatory Strikes and Regional Fallout

Iran responded over the weekend with attacks directed at US-linked sites and neighbouring countries. Kuwait reported that three northern border posts suffered material damage. A drone separately struck an offshore drilling platform belonging to the Kuwait Oil Company, injuring one worker.

Iran claimed it had targeted US High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers in Kuwait, a claim CENTCOM did not confirm.

UN Warns of 'Catastrophic Consequences'

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the renewed fighting, calling for an immediate halt to all hostilities — including Iranian attacks on ships, US strikes on Iran, and Iranian strikes on neighbouring countries. 'These attacks must all stop,' Guterres said, warning that a return to full-scale conflict would have 'catastrophic consequences' for the region, international security, and the global economy. He urged both Washington and Tehran to 'urgently resume negotiations.'

With more than 300 Iranian military targets struck over three nights and no diplomatic channel visibly active, the prospect of a negotiated pause remains uncertain.