The United States has completed its eighth consecutive night of air strikes on Iran, with the US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying the latest operation targeted military infrastructure and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces linked to a deadly attack on American troops in Jordan.
In a statement, CENTCOM said the strikes concluded at 11:30pm ET on July 18 and were carried out “at the Commander in Chief’s direction”.
The military said its forces struck Iranian coastal surveillance and air defence facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites as part of efforts to degrade Iran’s military capabilities.
CENTCOM also said American forces targeted IRGC personnel it accused of launching attacks against US service members in Jordan on July 17. At least two US service members were killed in the attack, while another remains missing.
The command added that more than 50,000 US military personnel remain deployed across the Middle East and are “highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready”.
Meanwhile, people in Iran reported another night of US air strikes, though they described the attacks as less intense than in recent days.
Authorities in Hormozgan province confirmed strikes on Qeshm Island, where the Tasnim news agency reported at least six explosions. Explosions were also reported in Bandar Abbas, as well as in the cities of Hajiabad and Sirik.
Iranian military officials also said they had carried out retaliatory attacks against US military assets across the region, although no further details were immediately released.
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