In a significant military action, the United States launched airstrikes against Iranian missile positions in the Strait of Hormuz on the night of March 18. This operation was confirmed by the US Central Command via social media.
The strikes involved the deployment of multiple 5,000-pound Deep Penetrator munitions targeting fortified Iranian sites along the coastline. According to Central Command, these missile installations posed a threat to international shipping in the vital waterway.
“Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles located at these sites represented a danger to maritime navigation in the Strait,” stated Central Command.
This military escalation follows a call from President Donald Trump on March 14 for several European and Asian nations to send naval vessels to safeguard shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, which have been jeopardized by potential Iranian attacks.
However, by March 16, it was reported that Spain, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the European Union declined to provide ships for the mission to secure the Strait. The next day, France also opted out.
In response to these refusals, Trump asserted that the United States has never relied on NATO allies for military support.
The US military conducted airstrikes against Iranian missile sites in the Strait of Hormuz, citing threats to international shipping. This action follows a lack of support from several allied nations for a naval mission in the region.