US and Iran exchange airstrikes, missile attacks

The United States and Iran exchanged a new wave of military strikes on July 15 and 16, 2026, targeting each other's military assets and allies across the Middle East and further straining a fragile interim ceasefire agreement. The U.S. military conducted extensive airstrikes on Iranian territory overnight into July 16, while Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against U.S. allied nations in the Gulf region.

U.S. Central Command stated the operations, which included a 90-minute wave of strikes concluding around 9 p.m. ET on July 15, targeted Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities. The stated objective was to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Specific targets included the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, a key naval hub, and coastal defense and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island. Iranian state media reported explosions in multiple locations, including Bandar Abbas and the capital, Tehran, where air defenses were activated. This marked the first time Tehran was targeted in this latest round of hostilities. Iran's Health Ministry...