US forces struck Iranian missile launch sites, naval vessels, and port infrastructure in southern Hormozgan province on May 25-26, targeting military assets near Bandar Abbas and the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. The strikes were characterized as self-defense measures to protect US troops and secure maritime routes.
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What happened and why it matters
The airstrikes targeted Iranian boats that were allegedly attempting to lay mines in a key oil shipping lane. Hormozgan province sits along the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that handles around 20% of the world’s oil trade.
These operations fall under “Operation Epic Fury,” which began in February 2026 and has involved coordinated air assaults on Iranian military infrastructure. The latest strikes represent a continuation of a confrontation that has been building for months.
