11th Night of Strikes on Iranian Targets Completed as Blockade Continues

MIDDLE EAST — U.S. Central Command forces completed the 11th consecutive evening of strikes against Iranian military targets at 8:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

The strikes targeted Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure. CENTCOM said the strikes further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM forces began the 11th night of strikes at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday. As of Tuesday, U.S. forces enforcing the naval blockade of Iranian ports had redirected 8 commercial vessels and disabled 1. USS Mason (DDG 87) conducted a replenishment-at-sea while sailing in regional waters.

CENTCOM noted that over the past three months Iran has attacked more than 30 commercial vessels transiting the international waterway. The command said the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial vessel transit.

aval Blockade Enforcement and Vessel Redirection Figures

As of Tuesday U.S. forces had redirected 8 commercial vessels and disabled 1 under the resumed blockade that took effect at 4 p.m. ET on July 14. Daily CENTCOM updates tracked the incremental rise from 2 redirected and 1 disabled in the first 24 hours after resumption.

The earlier blockade period from April 13 to June 18 redirected more than 140 compliant vessels, disabled nine non-compliant ships, and allowed over 50 commercial vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass. The current totals remain well below the earlier period’s cumulative figures.

Official Statements

• U.S. Central Command, July 21: “CENTCOM forces began striking military targets in Iran at 7 p.m. ET today for the 11th consecutive night. The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”

• U.S. Central Command, July 21: “Every operational success in the Middle East begins and ends with service members focused on their missions, including the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of July 21, U.S. forces have redirected 8 commercial vessels and disabled 1 to fully enforce the blockade.”

• U.S. Central Command, July 21: “USS Mason (DDG 87) conducts a replenishment-at-sea while sailing in regional waters.”

• U.S. Central Command public release, July 21: “TAMPA, Fla. — At 8:15 p.m. ET on July 21, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) successfully completed the 11th consecutive evening of strikes against Iran. CENTCOM assets targeted Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Over the past three months, Iran has attacked more than 30 commercial vessels transiting the international waterway vital for regional and global trade. The unwarranted attacks have endangered hundreds of innocent mariners and undermined freedom of navigation. Despite Iranian aggression, the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial vessel transit. Since early May, CENTCOM forces have helped facilitate the transit of approximately 900 commercial vessels and 450 million barrels of crude oil.”