CENTCOM: We have successfully completed the latest wave of military strikes against Iran

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it successfully completed the latest wave of military strikes against Iran, marking the sixth consecutive night of operations.

In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, CENTCOM said: “At 9:40 p.m. Eastern Time on July 16, U.S. forces completed the latest major wave of strikes against Iran. Fighter aircraft, drones, and warships launched precision munitions that struck dozens of Iranian military targets, including coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and naval capabilities.”

It added: “In accordance with the Commander-in-Chief’s directives, U.S. Central Command continues to degrade Iran’s military capabilities and hold it accountable for recent attacks targeting commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

CENTCOM further stated in its statement: “More than 50,000 U.S. military personnel are deployed across the Middle East, standing ready, vigilant, and at high combat readiness.”

Previously, CENTCOM announced in a separate statement that it had begun a new wave of strikes against Iran in response to attacks on commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM said: “At 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 16, U.S. forces began executing a new wave of strikes against Iran for the sixth consecutive night, further degrading the Iranian military’s capabilities.”

In a separate statement on its official X account, CENTCOM reported that U.S. Marines from the 19th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a boarding inspection of the tanker “Wen Yao” in the Gulf of Oman.

It added: “As of Thursday, July 16, U.S. forces had redirected three commercial vessels that attempted to breach the blockade on Iranian ports, disabled one vessel that failed to comply with the blockade procedures, and boarded another vessel to ensure full compliance with the ongoing maritime blockade against Iran.”

CENTCOM emphasized in its statement that “the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters remain open to navigation, except for vessels attempting to violate the blockade.”