The United States carried out a seventh consecutive night of military strikes against Iran on Friday (July 17), as Washington said it was continuing operations aimed at degrading Tehran’s military capabilities while tightening enforcement of its naval blockade.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) in a post on X, said the latest round of strikes was launched at 3 p.m. ET under the direction of President Donald Trump.
CENTCOM said the latest attacks were part of an ongoing campaign targeting Iran’s military infrastructure.
“CENTCOM launched a round of strikes against Iran at 3 p.m. ET today for the seventh consecutive night. The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities at the Commander in Chief’s direction.”
The statement did not specify the locations targeted or provide details about the damage caused during the latest operation.
US says naval blockade is being enforced
The US military also said American forces were actively enforcing the naval blockade imposed on Iran following the collapse of the ceasefire.
According to CENTCOM, several commercial vessels have already been intercepted since enforcement resumed.
“American forces remain vigilant as the United States strictly enforces the naval blockade against Iran. During the first three days of renewed implementation, U.S. forces have redirected four commercial vessels, disabled one, and boarded one to ensure full compliance.”
The military did not identify the vessels involved or disclose their destinations.
Surveillance tower destroyed
CENTCOM said US forces had destroyed a surveillance tower at Chah Bahar Shahid Kalantari Port on July 16, describing it as part of Iran’s maritime monitoring network.
According to the US military, the facility had long been used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to monitor commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
“U.S. forces successfully destroyed the Chah Bahar Shahid Kalantari Port surveillance tower, part of a maritime surveillance network along Iran’s Gulf of Oman coastline used for decades by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to track and target commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”
CENTCOM said the strike was intended to reduce Iran’s ability to coordinate attacks on shipping in the region.
“The destruction of the tower directly degrades IRGC’s ability to coordinate attacks on innocent civilian crew members.”
Focus on 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 would help ensure freedom of navigation for commercial vessels operating in regional waters.
However, it reiterated that ships attempting to violate the ongoing US naval blockade against Iran would remain 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 routes.
