US Launches Fresh Wave of Strikes Against Iran Amid Rising West Asia Tensions

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday morning, significantly escalating hostilities in West Asia. According to American military officials, the operation targeted Iranian military assets that Washington claims have been used to disrupt and attack commercial shipping vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The escalation comes alongside a newly reinstated U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, prompting immediate retaliatory missile and drone strikes from Tehran against U.S. bases in the region.

U.S. Forces Target Iranian Coastal Defenses

The latest military actions began at 6:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, marking the second major wave of U.S. strikes within a 24-hour window. CENTCOM stated that the precision operations are explicitly designed to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten international maritime trade and civilian crews navigating regional waterways. US-Iran War: IRGC Claims Drone, Missile Strikes on US Military Bases in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait.

This morning's assault follows a grueling seven-hour operation completed late Tuesday night. During that initial wave, U.S. fighter jets, unmanned drones, and naval vessels deployed precision munitions against dozens of targets along Iran's coastline, focusing heavily on drone sites, missile infrastructure, and coastal defense systems.

Reinstatement of U.S. Naval Blockade

The air campaign coincided with a major shift in Washington's maritime enforcement strategy. U.S. forces officially resumed a strict naval blockade against all vessels transiting to or from Iranian coastal areas and ports. According to military logs, the blockade went into effect at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday. CENTCOM officials emphasized that U.S. forces remain in a high-alert posture, describing their current status as "vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations" as directed by the White House.

Tehran Retaliates Under 'Operation Nasr 2'

In swift response to the American bombardment, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) alongside the national army announced its own sweeping counter-offensive. Dubbed "Operation Nasr 2," Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported that Tehran launched its "seventh wave" of retaliatory strikes, targeting several American military installations across the Middle East. US Strikes Iran's Greater Tunb Island, Targets Missile Sites in Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM Launches New Air Wave Amid Reinstated Naval Blockade

At 6 a.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching a wave of strikes against Iran. The strikes are designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 15, 2026

The IRGC claimed it successfully targeted and destroyed critical U.S. military infrastructure in Kuwait, including a Patriot air defense complex, a satellite communications center, and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launch platforms.

Regional Impact and Condemnation

The cross-border strikes also expanded into neighboring countries. Iranian forces claimed to have struck hangars housing American F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighter jets, as well as MQ-9 strategic drones, stationed at the al-Azraq airbase in Jordan. Additionally, Tehran directed strikes toward the U.S. Fifth Fleet facilities operating out of Bahrain.

The rapidly worsening security situation drew sharp rebukes from regional leadership. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi issued a formal statement strongly condemning the Iranian attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, noting that the strikes on infrastructure resulted in injuries to Kuwaiti military personnel.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2026 07:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).