US CENTCOM carries out fresh strikes on Iran, warns forces remain ready for further military action

The United States Central Command CENTCOM said it carried out another round of military strikes against Iran targeting military infrastructure that it claimed was linked to threats against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz The latest operation comes as tensions in the Middle East remain high and the US warned that its forces are prepared to take further action if requiredThe strikes were announced by CENTCOM in a statement posted on X while the US Department of State simultaneously issued a worldwide security advisory urging American citizens to remain vigilant due to the volatile regional situationCENTCOM says strikes targeted military infrastructureAccording to CENTCOM the latest strikes were conducted at 9 pm ET on July 20 and targeted Iranian military command centres maritime capabilities missile and drone launch sites as well as air defence systemsIn its statement CENTCOM said the objective was to reduce Irans ability to carry out attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz one of the worlds most strategically significant maritime routes for global energy suppliesldquoUS Central Command CENTCOM completed another round of strikes against Iran at 9 pm ET July 20 US forces struck Iranian military command centres maritime capabilities missile and drone launch sites and air defence systems to degrade Irans ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of HormuzrdquoStrait of Hormuz remains critical to global energy tradeCENTCOM said commercial shipping has continued to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite heightened regional tensionsAccording to the command US forces have played a role in supporting maritime security in the arealdquoSince early May CENTCOM forces have helped facilitate the transit of approximately 900 commercial vessels and 450 million barrels of crude oilrdquoThe Strait of Hormuz is one of the worlds busiest maritime corridors and serves as a key route for global oil exports Any disruption to shipping through the waterway has the potential to affect international energy markets and global tradeUS says military remains prepared for further actionCENTCOM said US forces remain ready to conduct additional operations if necessary accusing Iran of carrying out attacks against civilian shipping in the regionThe command stated that the strikes were intended to weaken military capabilities that it believes have been used to threaten commercial maritime trafficIran has previously denied involvement in several attacks on commercial vessels in the region and its response to the latest US strikes had not been detailed at the time of writingState Department issues worldwide security advisorySeparately the US Department of States Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a worldwide caution for American citizens citing the increasingly uncertain security environment resulting from heightened tensions in the Middle EastldquoWorldwide Caution Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalationrdquoThe advisory urged Americans in the region to remain alert and prepare for possible disruptionsldquoAmericans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for possible flight cancellations periodic airspace closures and potential travel disruptions Please monitor embassy and consular security alerts local authorities and the news for breaking developmentsrdquoUS warns of potential threats to diplomatic facilitiesThe State Department also cautioned that US diplomatic missions and American interests abroad could face security risksldquoUS diplomatic facilities including outside the Middle East have been targeted Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the worldrdquo the department saidWith inputs from IANS