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The United States military says Iran’s capacity to threaten the Strait of Hormuz has been significantly reduced following recent strikes on an underground weapons facility.
The US says the operation targeted a fortified site along Iran’s coastline used to store cruise missiles, mobile launchers and other military equipment linked to anti-ship operations.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Brad Cooper, multiple 5,000-pound bombs were used to hit the underground facility.
Cooper said the strikes also destroyed supporting infrastructure, including intelligence systems and radar networks used to track naval movement.
He added that Iran’s ability to disrupt maritime navigation around the strategic waterway had been reduced as a result of the operation.
He further stated that US forces would continue targeting similar sites as part of ongoing military operations in the region.
“We not only took out the facility, but also destroyed intelligence support sites and missile radar relays that were used to monitor ship movements.
“Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz is degraded as a result, and we will not stop pursuing these targets.”
CENTCOM had earlier confirmed the use of bunker-busting bombs in the campaign, but Cooper’s latest comments provided further details on the extent of damage.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, has seen heightened tensions, with concerns over disruptions pushing crude oil prices above $105 per barrel.
US President Donald Trump recently slammed NATO allies as “cowards” over their response to the crisis and suggested the US could begin scaling down its military involvement in the region.
CENTCOM also said more than 8,000 military targets, including dozens of vessels, have been struck over the past three weeks.
The 5,000-pound bombs used in the operation are among the US military’s heavy ordnance, though less powerful than larger bunker-busting weapons previously deployed in strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
