US Launches Fresh Airstrikes on Iran as Middle East Conflict Escalates

Washington: The United States has launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iran, intensifying the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation was carried out under the direction of the Commander in Chief.

According to a statement posted by CENTCOM on X, the strikes began at 6 p.m. Eastern Time and were aimed at weakening Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The operation also targeted forces of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the US said was responsible for attacks on American troops stationed in Jordan a day earlier.

Earlier on Saturday, CENTCOM confirmed that two US service members were killed and another remains missing after a strike on a US military base in Jordan on Friday. With these latest casualties, the total number of American military personnel killed since the US and Israel began military operations against Iran on February 28 has risen to 16.

The latest action follows seven consecutive nights of US strikes that concluded on July 17. During those operations, US forces targeted surveillance facilities, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage sites and maritime assets using fighter aircraft, drones, warships and other military platforms.

CENTCOM said more than 50,000 American service members remain deployed across the Middle East and are prepared to respond to any further threats while continuing to enforce a naval blockade around Iranian ports.

The United States has maintained that its military campaign is intended to reduce Iran's capability to disrupt international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy trade route. However, the continued exchange of attacks has heightened concerns over a wider regional conflict and its potential impact on global security and energy markets.

With inputs from IANS