The US carried out a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military targets, with President Donald Trump claiming Washington was “winning big”…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out a fresh wave of military strikes against Iranian targets on Thursday (local time), marking the sixth consecutive night of US operations against Iran amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
In a statement, CENTCOM said the latest operation concluded at 9:40 p.m. ET.
“Today at 9:40 p.m. ET, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) completed its latest major wave of strikes against Iran,” the command said.
According to CENTCOM, US forces, including fighter aircraft, aerial drones and warships, launched precision-guided munitions against “dozens of Iranian military targets”, including coastal surveillance and air defence sites, military logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities.
The command said the operation was conducted “at the Commander in Chief’s direction” and was intended to “further degrading Iranian military capabilities and holding Iran accountable for recent attacks on commercial shipping”.
CENTCOM also said that “more than 50,000 U.S. service members are operating across the Middle East and remain vigilant, lethal, and ready”.
US President Donald Trump also referred to the ongoing military operations during a primetime address focused primarily on election security and foreign interference.
Trump said the United States was “winning big” in Iran and claimed Americans would see the “fruits” of the military campaign “very, very shortly”.
The President said his administration had rebuilt the US military into what he described as the world’s most powerful force, adding that while he would have preferred not to use it, military action had become necessary.
“Unfortunately, we’re forced to use it now,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, Iran warned that further attacks on its infrastructure could lead to retaliation against US assets across the region.
According to statements carried by Iranian state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, senior spokesperson for Iran’s Armed Forces, said the United States and Israel had “no right” to maintain a military presence in the region.
“America and the fake Zionist government have no right to be in the region,” Shekarchi said during a televised interview carried by IRIB.
He said the Strait of Hormuz remained secure under Iranian control and blamed the US military presence for increasing tensions in the strategically important waterway.
“The Islamic Republic’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz is a factor of security for the entire region, not insecurity,” he said, adding, “The reason the Strait of Hormuz is becoming insecure is the presence of the Americans.”
Shekarchi also called on neighbouring countries to work with Iran to maintain regional security.
“Regional countries should join hands with Iran. We will not allow any insecurity in the region,” he said.
“We can fight the enemy for years… We are still increasing our strength,” Shekarchi added.
His remarks followed a similar warning from the spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, who said any US strike on Iranian infrastructure would be met with attacks on infrastructure across the region.
In a statement, the spokesperson said, “Under no circumstances and in no way whatsoever will we allow America, as a foreign and extra-regional country, to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz. This is Iran’s unbreakable red line.”
The latest exchange of military action and warnings comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, with both Washington and Tehran issuing increasingly strong statements over military operations and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
