United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the US military conducted strikes against a range of military targets in Iran early on Monday, July 20, 2026, marking the ninth consecutive night of operations.
According to CENTCOM’s statement, the operation commenced at 2:30 AM Iran time and lasted three hours, concluding at 5:30 AM. CENTCOM described the operation as part of a weekend wave of strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The statement said that CENTCOM assets targeted “Iranian military command centers,” “air defense and coastal surveillance positions,” “naval capabilities,” “missile and drone launch sites,” and “communication networks.”
CENTCOM stated that the objective of the strikes was to “degrade the Islamic Republic’s capability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz.” The command did not release details regarding the exact number of targets, their precise locations, the munitions used, or potential casualties and damage estimates.
Reuters reported that, alongside the strikes, Iranian media reported hearing explosions across multiple cities. The Tasnim News Agency, citing its correspondents, reported explosions in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr, and Bandar Imam Khomeini.
