US Strikes Iran's Greater Tunb Island, Targets Missile Sites in Strait of Hormuz
The United States military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that it has conducted targeted airstrikes on Greater Tunb Island, a highly strategic point situated in the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that it has conducted targeted airstrikes on Greater Tunb Island, a highly strategic point situated in the Strait of Hormuz. According to military officials, the operation was directed at destroying Iranian coastal defense facilities, command centers, and active missile sites.
The precision campaign, which lasted approximately 90 minutes, utilized high-precision munitions. CENTCOM officials stated that the main objective of the mission was to systematically degrade Iran's capability to target and disrupt commercial shipping vessels navigating through the critical maritime corridor. Donald Trump Threatens To Target Iran’s Power Plants, Bridges Unless Tehran Returns to Talks (Watch Video).
The strikes come amidst a sharp escalation in regional tensions, triggered by recent attacks on three commercial cargo vessels—sailing under the flags of Saudi Arabia, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands. The United States and its regional allies have blamed Tehran for these shipping disruptions, citing them as a violation of international freedom of navigation.
Iran’s state television reported that the renewed wave of U.S. airstrikes across several military installations has resulted in the deaths of at least seven Iranian troops assigned to the 388th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, with hundreds more injured across various targeted locations. Iranian officials have strongly condemned the strikes and warned of retaliatory measures.
A Highly Disputed Strategic Zone
Greater Tunb Island holds immense geopolitical weight. Located directly along the shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, the island has been occupied by Iran since 1971. Why Israel Tried To Topple Iran Regime With Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and How the Plan Failed.
Historically claimed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Greater Tunb—along with Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa—has long been a flashpoint of territorial dispute. In recent years, Tehran has heavily fortified these islands, transforming them into forward bases equipped with anti-ship cruise missiles, radar systems, and drone launch pads to assert control over the waterway.
Crumbling Interim Accords
This direct military clash marks a significant unraveling of recent diplomatic efforts. An interim agreement signed last month, which had temporarily paused active hostilities and lifted a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, has effectively collapsed.
Following the failure of subsequent negotiations and renewed threats to global energy corridors, the United States reinstated its naval blockade. In response to the blockade and the latest strikes, global energy markets have reacted quickly, with Brent crude prices climbing steadily as investors weigh the possibility of a prolonged conflict.
CENTCOM reiterated that its forces remain highly mobilized and prepared to take additional actions should Tehran fail to comply with international maritime security standards.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2026 05:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).