The United States continues extensive military operations against Iran and is simultaneously increasing its presence in the Middle East. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that more than 50,000 members of the U.S. armed forces are currently deployed in the region. This information was posted on the social media platform X.
CENTCOM also announced the completion of another wave of strikes against military targets within Iranian territory. According to U.S. command, the operation lasted approximately five hours and concluded during the night of July 13-14.
According to a statement, U.S. forces targeted military facilities in several strategically important areas. These locations included the port of Bandar Abbás, the island of Abú Músá, Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, and Konarak. CENTCOM described the operation as successful, but did not release further details about the extent of damage or any potential casualties.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump formally notified Congress about the resumption of military operations against Iran. According to The New York Times, he sent a letter to lawmakers on July 10. In the document, he reportedly stated that the U.S. military conducted "defensive strikes against targets within Iranian territory" on July 7.
The United States has accused Tehran of violating agreements related to the security of the Strait of Hormuz. The fighting has disrupted previous diplomatic efforts that followed a memorandum in June calling for an immediate cessation of hostile actions.
Tensions are now further escalating in the Strait of Hormuz, which is a vital route for transporting oil and other energy resources. According to the Iranian agency Fars, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iranian units have targeted and disabled two supertankers attempting to transit the strait.
According to the Iranian version, the ships had their navigation systems turned off and did not respond to repeated warnings from the security center. The IRGC claims that the tankers posed a threat to maritime traffic in the area. Information about the attack and the circumstances of the incident have not yet been independently confirmed.
The current deployment of more than 50,000 U.S. troops, ongoing strikes against Iran, and incidents in the Strait of Hormuz indicate that the conflict is entering a new phase. Further escalation could have serious consequences not only for regional security but also for global maritime transport and energy prices.