The United States carried out another round of military strikes on Iran at around 9 p.m. ET on 20th July, targeting key military sites, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The operation focused on Iranian military command centres, missile and drone launch sites, air defence systems, and maritime capabilities.
JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 US strikes Iranian military command centers, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems. pic.twitter.com/8oSfyG7e18
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) July 21, 2026
CENTCOM said the strikes were aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to carry out further attacks on commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes. The military said the action was taken to protect the safe movement of civilian vessels through the international waterway.
Despite the ongoing tensions, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has continued. CENTCOM said its forces have helped ensure the safe passage of nearly 900 commercial vessels since early May. During the same period, around 450 million barrels of crude oil have moved through the strategic route.
The U.S. military also said its forces remain fully prepared and deployed in the region. CENTCOM added that it will continue to hold Iran responsible for any attacks on civilian mariners using the Strait of Hormuz for free and lawful navigation.
