The U.S. military carried out new airstrikes targeting southern Iran to respond rapidly to an attack on a base in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of American troops and left others wounded or missing. These latest strikes aimed to degrade Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway responsible for nearly a fifth of global oil shipments before recent hostilities intensified.
According to U.S. Central Command, the strikes focused on locations near Sirik, Hajiabad, and Qeshm Island along the strait. Iranian state media confirmed explosions around Bandar Abbas, home to Iran’s main southern port, and reported damage to infrastructure including an electricity and desalination plant as well as tunnels, bridges, and a highway critical to the area’s transportation network.
The escalation follows a drone and missile attack on a Jordanian base attributed to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which caused the first American troop fatalities from direct Iranian fire since the start of ongoing conflicts. Since hostilities began, U.S. forces have suffered multiple casualties and hundreds of injuries.
The Strait of Hormuz became effectively closed to shipping traffic after U.S. and Israeli strikes hit Iran on February 28, aggravating tensions in the region. In response, the U.S. recently reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports to disrupt crude oil shipments, directing several ships away and disabling one vessel since the blockade’s imposition.
Iranian officials stated that U.S. strikes over the past three weeks have killed dozens and wounded hundreds, marking a significant intensification in hostilities. The U.S. has also threatened further strikes targeting Iran’s power and transport infrastructure to pressure Tehran into loosening its grip on the critical maritime corridor.