U.S. Launches Additional Strikes on Iran... Trump Says "Strait of Hormuz Remains Open" (Comprehensive)

CENTCOM Launches Additional Strikes from 5 p.m. on the 12th
"Intended to Degrade Iran's Ability to Attack in the Strait"
Iran Also Attacks U.S. Military Bases in the Gulf Region

On July 12 (local time), the U.S. military launched additional airstrikes aimed at weakening Iran's ability to attack civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open despite Iran's declaration of a blockade. However, with a sharp decline in actual vessel traffic, concerns are mounting that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran could escalate into a full-scale war.

Central Command X

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced via social media platform X that "at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, additional airstrikes were launched to further degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian sailors and merchant vessels transiting freely through the Strait of Hormuz."

According to Korean time, the airstrikes began at 6 a.m. on July 13. Central Command stated that "the commander-in-chief ordered the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable," making it clear that the attack was carried out under President Trump's orders.

Previously, in response to Iran's attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship 'GFS Galaxy' navigating the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military targeted Iranian missiles and air defense systems, as well as small vessels belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operating near the strait. The United States had already conducted three airstrikes against Iran over the previous week and carried out an additional strike on this day.

In an interview with NBC's 'Meet the Press,' President Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz is open, adding, "We bombed them relentlessly last night." He went on to denounce Iran as "very evil and sick people."

U.S. Strikes Key Southern Iranian Bases Including Qeshm Island... Retaliatory Attacks on U.S. Military Bases in the Gulf Region

Explosions were also reported at key military and economic hubs in southern Iran. According to Al Jazeera, Iran stated that "10 to 11 projectiles from the enemy" landed on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions were also reported in Bandar Abbas, Iran's largest port.

Bandar Abbas serves as Iran's principal export-import gateway and is considered the lifeline of the Iranian economy. Both Qeshm Island, the largest island in the Gulf, and Bandar Abbas are equipped with radar and communication towers, as well as IRGC naval personnel and bases.

Al Jazeera analyzed that Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island occupy strategic positions for monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, making them critical points for Iran to maintain control over the strait. For this reason, the two areas have become repeated targets of U.S. strikes.

Iran also claimed to have launched missile and suicide drone attacks against U.S. allied countries and military facilities in the Middle East, including Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. Earlier, the IRGC declared that the Strait of Hormuz would be "closed until further notice" and stated that warning shots had been fired at vessels attempting to pass through unauthorized routes.

Although President Trump repeatedly asserts that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, assessments indicate that the reality on the ground is different. The Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC), an international maritime monitoring body, stated that it is still possible to transit the southern route of the strait, but assessed that the maritime security threat remains "severe." In fact, there were reportedly almost no visible vessel movements in the strait on this day.

Al Jazeera pointed out that while President Trump is trying to give the impression that the strait is open and the current conflict is not significantly affecting global financial markets, in reality, military tensions are intensifying as neither the U.S. nor Iran is backing down.

Before the war, about 20% of the world's oil supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical energy corridor. If the conflict between the two countries and disruptions to vessel traffic are prolonged, volatility in international oil prices and financial markets is expected to increase further.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.