US launches new strikes against Iran on July 12

The United States launched a new round of military strikes against targets inside Iran on July 12, according to U.S. Central Command, intensifying a conflict centered on the security of a critical global shipping route. The operations, which CENTCOM said began at 5:00 p.m. ET on July 12, involved hitting dozens of targets at multiple locations with precision munitions. Officials stated the goal was to further degrade Iran's capability to attack commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes mark a significant escalation in a rapidly widening exchange of attacks. They followed a series of Iranian retaliatory strikes earlier on July 12 that targeted several U.S.-allied nations in the region. Qatar's defense ministry reported intercepting ballistic missiles fired at it, while Kuwait's army said its northern land border installations were damaged and an offshore drilling platform was hit by a drone, injuring one worker. Jordan's defense ministry stated three missiles originating from Iran landed within its territory, while Oman reported drone attacks targeting sites in two of its governorates. Bahrain also activated missile alert sirens.