U.S. Military Launches 12th Night of Strikes to Secure Strait of Hormuz

Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. military’s latest campaign, which the Associated Press reported as entering its 12th night, centers on securing the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the attacks were designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters, as the U.S. pushes to restore the flow of international shipping. According to Axios, the U.S. deployed a B-1 long-range bomber for the first time since the conflict resumed 12 days ago, signaling a significant escalation and expansion of the campaign. The B-1 bomber, which launched its mission from an airbase in the UK, can carry two dozen 2,000-lb. bombs or dozens of cruise missiles.

The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides. Reports indicate that at least two people were killed after a U.S. missile struck near the passenger terminal at the Shalamcheh border crossing on the Iran-Iraq border, a route used daily by thousands of Shia Muslim pilgrims. Additionally, U.S. Central Command confirmed that at least two U.S. military personnel were killed in Jordan, and a third service member was killed on Saturday in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance on a downed Iranian attack drone. Another U.S. service member remains missing in action.

Infrastructure Threats and Reciprocal Doctrine

Tensions reached a new peak on Wednesday after President Trump issued a public warning regarding Iranian attacks on commercial vessels. “From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT,” Trump wrote on social media.

Iran has responded with threats to widen the scope of its operations. Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC, quoted a military source stating that if the United States targeted a bridge or power plant in Iran, Tehran would target several infrastructures and bridges in the region, including energy facilities linked to American interests. Hossein Haidari, the editor-in-chief of Mehr News Agency, wrote in a piece that An oil well should be burned for every martyr, a gas field for every attack, and a refinery for every bridge, proposing that hitting oil facilities become an immediate operational doctrine. Furthermore, the IRGC’s main headquarters, Khatem al-Anbiya, warned on Wednesday, July 22, that any attack on Iran’s nuclear centers and sensitive facilities would be met with an attack on the interests of the United States and its allies. The ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper also threatened to strike American nuclear facilities with devastating strikes.

Regional Fallout and Economic Impact

The conflict has widened geographically, involving neighboring nations. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan reported that they intercepted Iranian attacks on Sunday. Israeli officials confirmed they were preparing to receive more U.S. refueling aircraft ahead of a possible expansion of U.S. military operations against Iran.

The continued American airstrikes are occurring even as diplomatic efforts show little public sign of progress. The waterway remains largely closed, and the war is sending fuel prices up ahead of midterm U.S. elections this fall. While Iranian officials and U.S. authorities remain in a dispute over the crucial waterway for global energy, the interim ceasefire agreement signed a month ago has unraveled, raising the risk of a return to all-out hostilities.

With major diplomatic efforts appearing to stall, both the U.S. and Iran continue to prepare for further potential hostilities, leaving the global energy supply chain in a state of high uncertainty.