Washington, D.C., Jul 24 (V7N)- The United States has carried out another round of military strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, with the US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying the operation was aimed at protecting international maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and degrading Iran's military capabilities.
In a statement issued Friday (July 24), CENTCOM said the latest operation, conducted at approximately 1:00 GMT, targeted Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communications networks, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities.
According to the statement, the operation was undertaken to help ensure the safety of commercial and civilian vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes.
CENTCOM also said that despite recent attacks attributed to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping. The command added that commercial vessels continue to transit the waterway with support from US military forces.
The US military further stated that more than 50,000 American troops are currently deployed across the Middle East as part of ongoing regional security operations.
Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high, with both sides accusing each other of escalating the conflict. Iranian authorities have previously said they would respond to any military action targeting the country, while the IRGC has claimed responsibility for retaliatory operations following US strikes.
The latest developments come amid continued regional instability and growing international calls for restraint to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
END/SMA/AJ
