The United States military conducted a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran on Monday, targeting regime capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes, ordered by President Trump, aim to impose a significant cost on Iranian forces and degrade their capacity to attack commercial shipping and civilian targets.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the commencement of strikes at 4:45 p.m. ET on Monday, stating they would persist. The previous night's operations on Sunday involved U.S. fighter aircraft, naval vessels, and unmanned aerial and sea drones hitting numerous targets across multiple locations. These included Iranian military air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone infrastructure, and small boats.
President Trump indicated a broader U.S. objective to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking earlier on Monday, he stated that the U.S. would take over the strait, dismissing Iranian claims of having closed the waterway. "We’re taking over the strait. They have nothing. They’ve got nothing," Trump said. He further elaborated on the potential for the U.S. to operate the strait, suggesting it could function as a "guardian angel" and that the U.S. should be reimbursed for its security role.
"We guarded it for nothing, and now we’re going to guard it — we’re going to get paid for guarding it," the president added. The strikes come amid ongoing tensions and concerns over maritime security in the vital shipping lane.