Explosions were reported in the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm Island on Monday, coinciding with U.S. Central Command's announcement of completing another wave of strikes against Iran. The strikes aim to degrade Iran's ability to attack international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM stated that its forces targeted Iranian military air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, and missile and drone capabilities. For the first time, the strikes also involved one-way attack aerial and sea drones, alongside U.S. fighter aircraft and naval vessels. The U.S. military asserts that it is postured to ensure freedom of navigation for commercial shipping despite Iran's actions.
Bandar Abbas is strategically located on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global trade. Qeshm Island is known to house ballistic missiles underground and is surrounded by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iran's semi-official news agency Mehr reported that it is not yet known if the explosions in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm caused any damage or casualties. Mehr also claimed that Iran shot down a "hostile Lucas-type" American drone over Bandar Abbas.
In retaliation, Tehran has stated it targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, and destroyed radar systems in Oman. Iran has previously vowed to close the Strait of Hormuz, a declaration that has contributed to rising oil prices. Brent crude rose by 3% on Monday, though it remains below earlier peaks in the ongoing conflict. Tehran has proposed a permit system for ships using the strait, a notion the U.S. rejects, emphasizing that Iran does not control the waterway.