US Launches ‘Self-Defense’ Strikes on Iranian Missile Sites and Boats
The United States military says it carried out “self-defense” strikes against Iranian military positions after what American officials described as direct threats to U.S. naval forces operating near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and multiple international media reports, American forces targeted missile launch sites and Iranian boats allegedly preparing military activity in southern Iran. U.S. officials said the operation was aimed at protecting American warships and securing international shipping routes in the Gulf.
Defense officials stated that U.S. surveillance detected what they described as “imminent threats” involving Iranian missile systems and fast-attack naval vessels near strategic waterways used for global oil transport.
The escalation comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran following months of regional instability involving Iran, Israel and U.S. military deployments across the Middle East.
Iranian state-linked media strongly condemned the strikes, accusing Washington of violating Iranian sovereignty and increasing the risk of wider conflict in the region. Meanwhile, American military officials defended the operation as a limited defensive action designed to protect U.S. personnel and allied naval assets.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy corridors, with a large percentage of global oil exports passing through the narrow waterway each day. Analysts warn that any direct military confrontation in the area could impact global energy markets and international shipping operations.
Security experts say the latest military action marks another dangerous moment in the growing confrontation between the United States and Iran, despite ongoing diplomatic discussions and regional mediation efforts.