The United States launched airstrikes against Iranian missile sites along the southern coastline, targeting the Strait of Hormuz, with powerful 2,200-kg (5,000-pound) bunker-buster bombs in a significant escalation of the conflict.
Hours ago, U.S. forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the… pic.twitter.com/hgCSFH0cqO
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 17, 2026
According to the US Central Command, the strikes targeted hardened sites housing Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles. The military said these weapons posed a direct threat to international shipping passing through the strategic waterway. In a statement posted early Wednesday (IST), the command confirmed that multiple deep penetrator munitions were used to hit the sites.
The operation comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed since early March due to the ongoing war between Iran, the United States, and Israel. The narrow passage is one of the world’s most critical oil routes, carrying nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply. The disruption has already pushed fuel prices higher worldwide and slowed cargo movement.
The strikes also mark the first significant US military operation aimed at reopening the strait and securing maritime flow. The US has been urging allies to help escort ships and ensure safe passage through the strait, but several countries, including some of the US’s key NATO allies, have declined to participate.
The bombing came after several senior Iranian military leaders were killed in Israeli strikes. Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Basij unit, were among those killed. Larijani was described as the regime’s effective leader.
US President Donald Trump said he was disappointed by the lack of support for the operations, claiming that some of the countries agree with the US stance on the issue but are reluctant to participate militarily. He said the operations are important to the security of the world, such as the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, something Iran claims to be against.
Despite limited international support, the US appears set to continue its operations in the region amid high tensions.
