The U.S. military conducted airstrikes against Iran on July 15, marking the fifth consecutive day of attacks. On this day, two strikes were carried out, one during the day and another at night, as the U.S. intensified military pressure on Iran by targeting an oil tanker that violated maritime blockade.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced via its official X account that the first strike precisely targeted coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage and launch facilities on the island of Abu Musa. The operation lasted about 90 minutes, starting at 6 a.m. Eastern Time.
Approximately nine hours later, a second airstrike commenced. This marked the first time U.S. forces attacked Iran twice in one day since the series of strikes began on July 11. CENTCOM described the operation as aimed at degrading Iran's military capabilities that threaten vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The enforcement of the maritime blockade also escalated. In a separate announcement, CENTCOM stated that U.S. aircraft fired Hellfire missiles at the Curaçao-flagged oil tanker 'M/T Belma' after it ignored repeated warnings while heading toward the Iranian oil export hub of Kharg Island.
Since resuming the maritime blockade on July 14 at 4 p.m., U.S. forces have neutralized one tanker and turned back two other commercial vessels within 24 hours. The blockade targets ships traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas.
The U.S. military is simultaneously ramping up airstrikes against Iranian military facilities and enforcing the maritime blockade under the direction of President Donald Trump.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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