US Strikes Iran for 13th Consecutive Night Amid Escalating Conflict

July 24, 2026

Washington: US forces launched another round of strikes against Iranian military targets on Thursday evening (local time), marking the 13th consecutive night of attacks, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The strikes began at 6:45 p.m. Eastern Time and were aimed at “holding Iran accountable and diminishing threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to commercial shipping,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.

U.S. forces started another night of strikes against Iranian military targets at 6:45 p.m. ET today. This is the 13th consecutive night of strikes aimed to hold Iran accountable and diminish threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to commercial shipping.

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 23, 2026

US Tightens Pressure on Iranian Shipping

US forces also said they have redirected 12 commercial vessels and disabled one vessel from entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas since resuming a naval blockade against Iran earlier this month.

According to CENTCOM, the measures are intended to restrict maritime movement linked to Iran amid the ongoing conflict.

Iran Claims Tankers Turned Back in Strait of Hormuz

Earlier on Thursday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it stopped three oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC alleged that one tanker exploded and caught fire, forcing the other two to retreat.

In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the route without Iran’s approval would face similar consequences.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, handling a significant share of global oil shipments.

Trump Considers Expanding Military Operations

The latest strikes come a day after US forces carried out attacks across Iran for the 12th consecutive night. Iranian media reported that missiles hit locations near Ahvaz, Ramshir, Andimeshk, and a power station near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, while two people were reportedly killed in Shalamcheh near the Iraqi border.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he is considering restarting large-scale combat operations against Iran, including military action that would be larger than Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28.

The continued exchange of military actions has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, with global attention focused on developments in the Gulf and the security of international shipping routes.