On Wednesday, July 15th, 2026, the US military's Central Command announced it launched a 90-minute air strike targeting Iranian defense and missile sites on Greater Tunb Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The island, seized by Iran in 1971 from what would become the United Arab Emirates, is considered a strategic point in the vital waterway.

Central Command stated the strikes "further degraded Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz." The attack involved at least 13 missiles and hit an Iranian army barracks.

Iranian officials reported that at least seven troops, including conscripts and career soldiers, were killed, and more than 260 people were injured across the country in the overnight strikes. Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani noted that over 30 people have died in recent days amid escalating violence.

This latest US strike follows days of reciprocal attacks between the US and Iran across the Middle East, which have undermined an interim deal that had paused fighting and initiated a 60-day negotiation period on issues including Iran's nuclear program. Renewed threats to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies, have raised concerns that the region could descend into all-out war.

The US had imposed a blockade in April but lifted it last month after signing the interim agreement.

Iranian officials and spokespeople have condemned the US actions, with some describing the strikes as "a decisive response to this aggressive action by the American enemy," and asserting "The US is the aggressor, not the victim." Other statements emphasize the critical nature of the region's oil and gas exports, warning that "The export of oil and gas from the region will be either for everyone or for no one."

Sources