US Central Command confirmed it carried out self-defense airstrikes on Iranian missile launch sites and mine-laying boats near the Strait of Hormuz, downing multiple Iranian drones in the process. The strikes, which took place on May 25-26, targeted positions near Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
What happened and why it matters
CENTCOM framed the operation as a defensive measure to protect US personnel. A ceasefire has been in place since early April or May 2026, with peace talks ongoing in Qatar.
On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury, a massive campaign involving nearly 900 strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran’s retaliatory response has included threats to close the Strait of Hormuz entirely, a move that would effectively choke a fifth of global oil transit.
