The US military launched another round of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, marking the 12th consecutive night of attacks, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The strikes targeted Iranian military sites, including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites and air defence assets.In a post on X, Centcom added that US forces had struck dozens of Iranian locations on land while resuming a blockade against Iran at sea.“At 10:30 p.m. ET on July 22, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed another round of strikes against Iran for the 12th consecutive night,” the post read, adding “U.S. forces struck Iranian military targets including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets.”The command has maintained that the strikes are aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to target shipping in regional waters. The US military said the latest operation lasted five hours.“This month, American forces have targeted dozens of Iranian military sites on land while resuming a blockade against Iran at sea,” CENTCOM said, adding that nine commercial vessels had been redirected and one disabled to prevent ships from entering or departing Iranian ports.The post further added that 50,000 US service members were operating across the Middle East. “More than 50,000 U.S. service members are operating across the Middle East and remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready,” it said.The latest strikes came as US president Donald Trump said Iran was “getting hit so hard” and described the conflict as a “skirmish”. Speaking in Georgia on Wednesday, Trump claimed Tehran wanted to “make a deal” but was not ready for an agreement.“This skirmish that we have with the Islamic Republic of Iran… They’re getting hit so hard, and they want to make a deal,” Trump said. Meanwhile, Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned that any attack on Iran, including its infrastructure, would face a “decisive response”, while other officials also vowed “decisive action”.
