West Asia war: US drops 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on Iranian missile sites near Strait of Hormuz

The United States of America said that it dropped 5000pound deep penetrator munitions on Iranian missile sites near Strait of HormuzAccording to US Central Command the latest attacks involved ldquomultiple 5000pound deep penetrator munitionsrdquo aimed at ldquohardened Iranian missile sites along Iranrsquos coastline near the Strait of HormuzrdquoThe Strait of Hormuz has become a key focus of US military operations amid rising concerns over maritime security and the protection of global energy suppliesCENTCOM said the Iranian antiship cruise missiles stationed there posed a serious risk to international shippingThe action is part of a broader campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure deemed to threaten global trade routesAir and Naval OperationsUS forces carried out the fresh strikes on Iranian missile positions along the Strait of Hormuz targeting sites officials described as a direct threat to international shipping as Operation Epic Fury escalatesCENTCOM noted that US Navy aviators have flown hundreds of combat sorties during Operation Epic Fury demonstrating ldquoAmericarsquos unmatched ability to generate air dominance from the seardquoHours ago US forces successfully employed multiple 5000pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iranrsquos coastline near the Strait of Hormuz The Iranian antiship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in thehellip pictwittercomhgCSFH0cqOmdash US Central Command CENTCOM March 17 2026Since the operation began on February 28 over 7000 targets have been struck including ballistic missile sites antiship missile sites IRGC headquarters integrated air defence systems and military communications facilities reported the IANSMore than 100 Iranian vessels have been reported damaged or destroyed while US forces have conducted over 6500 combat flightsMultidomain military assetsAccording to the IANS the operation uses a wide array of US military assets across air land and sea Air B1 B2 B52 bombers F22 and F35 fighter jets surveillance aircraft attack drones Naval Nuclearpowered aircraft carriers submarines guidedmissile destroyers Land Patriot and THAAD missile defence systems rocket artillery counterdrone systemsThis multidomain deployment highlights the strategic importance of the campaignStrategic importance ofStrait of HormuzThe Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies Any disruption in the waterway could have serious implications for international trade and oil marketsThe recent US strikes underscore rising tensions in the region and the focus on neutralising threats from Iranian missile capabilities to ensure the safety of shipping in the straitwith IANS inputs