US Launches 12th Night of Strikes on Iran as Houthi Attacks Hit 2 Saudi Tankers
Updated
Updated · CNN International · Jul 23
US Launches 12th Night of Strikes on Iran as Houthi Attacks Hit 2 Saudi Tankers
3 articles · Updated · CNN International · Jul 23
Summary
CENTCOM said US forces completed a 12th straight night of strikes at 10:30 p.m. ET, hitting dozens of Iranian military sites and reimposing a sea blockade.
The Pentagon said the campaign is meant to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping after repeated attacks and threats around the Strait of Hormuz.
Two Saudi-flagged tankers were reportedly struck in the Red Sea after Yemen’s Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi ships; one vessel caught fire, though all crew were safe.
Trump escalated the standoff by threatening to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant for every ship Tehran targets, while an Iranian official warned of retaliatory strikes on regional infrastructure and energy facilities.
The widening maritime conflict is stretching regional deployments: the USS Tripoli group has returned to Japan, leaving the USS Boxer group and about 2,200 Marines to help enforce the renewed blockade.