The United States conducted strikes on Iran for the 11th consecutive night late on Tuesday, July 21st, 2026, targeting Iranian military operations and infrastructure. US Central Command (Centcom) stated the strikes were "designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping" in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media reported activation of air defenses in Tehran, with explosions also reported in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, and Bushehr, the site of Iran's only nuclear power plant. Centcom confirmed that US forces targeted Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump indicated that the next military target could be an underground nuclear complex known as Pickaxe Mountain, where Iran is suspected of building an undeclared enrichment facility. Trump said, "We'll be hitting that area pretty soon, and very heavily."

In response, Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya military command warned that such an attack would be considered "an expansion of war in the region," threatening strikes on "all the interests of America, the allies and supporters," according to state-run broadcaster IRIB. Tehran also cautioned the US against targeting its nuclear facilities.

Following announcements by the Houthi movement, two tankers carrying Saudi crude oil bound for China and India from the Saudi Red Sea port of Yanbu reversed course on Tuesday, heading toward the Suez Canal instead, according to British maritime risk management group Vanguard.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that the ongoing conflict with Iran has cost the US approximately $37.5 billion (£28 billion) so far, an increase of nearly $8 billion since May.

Sources