Washington, July 18, 2026 – The U.S. armed forces conducted another series of strikes overnight on Thursday against Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent coastal facilities, focusing on military logistics hubs and tracking systems. The operation involved aircraft, drones, and warships from the U.S. Central Command.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Defense, the strikes were a response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the strait and the ongoing threat to maritime traffic. The Iranian side reports damage to civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities. "Our forces will protect freedom of navigation in this vital corridor," said a Pentagon spokesperson. An Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander warned that further attacks would bring the conflict to a "point zero," at which point Iran would respond with full force.
The conflict follows previous tensions from 2025, when Iran intensified its activities in the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil passes. Historically, the strait has served as a strategic chokepoint in U.S.-Iranian relations since the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. The current escalation follows the collapse of a temporary ceasefire at the beginning of 2026. This development underscores the risk of global disruption to energy supplies and the need for a diplomatic solution to ensure stability in the Persian Gulf.
Prokop Stach