US launches seventh straight night of strikes on Iran, says naval blockade strictly enforced | Today’s news
The United States carried out a seventh consecutive evening of military strikes against Iran on Friday, July 17, as Washington said it continued operations aimed at degrading Tehran’s military capabilities while tightening enforcement of its naval blockade.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X that the latest round of strikes was launched at 3pm ET under the direction of President Donald Trump.
CENTCOM said the latest attacks were part of an ongoing campaign to target Iran’s military infrastructure.
“CENTCOM today launched a series of strikes against Iran at 3:00 PM ET for the seventh consecutive night. The strikes are designed to continue to degrade Iran’s military capabilities at the Commander in Chief.”
The statement did not specify the locations targeted or provide details on the damage caused during the latest operation.
The US claims a naval blockade is in place
The U.S. military also said U.S. forces are actively enforcing the naval blockade imposed on Iran after the ceasefire collapsed.
According to CENTCOM, several commercial vessels have already been intercepted since enforcement resumed.
“U.S. forces remain alert as the United States strictly enforces the maritime blockade against Iran. In the first three days of renewed implementation, U.S. forces diverted four commercial vessels, disabled one, and boarded one to ensure full compliance.”
The military did not identify the vessels involved or disclose their destinations.
Observation tower destroyed
CENTCOM said US forces destroyed a surveillance tower at Chah Bahar Shahid Kalantari port on July 16, identifying it as part of Iran’s maritime surveillance network.
According to the US military, the device has long been used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to monitor commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“US forces have successfully destroyed the Chah Bahar Shahid Kalantari port surveillance tower, which is part of a maritime surveillance network along Iran’s Gulf of Oman coast that has been used for decades by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to track and target commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.”
CENTCOM said the strike was aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to coordinate attacks on shipping in the region.
“The destruction of the tower directly degrades the IRGC’s ability to coordinate attacks on innocent civilian crew members.”
Focus on the Strait of Hormuz
The US military said the operation was aimed at protecting maritime traffic through one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.
CENTCOM added that the strike will help ensure freedom of navigation for commercial vessels operating in regional waters.
But she reiterated that ships attempting to breach the ongoing US naval blockade against Iran would continue to be subject to enforcement measures.
The latest announcement comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate, with both sides expanding military operations and the conflict increasingly affecting regional infrastructure and international shipping lanes.