The U.S. launches a wave of bombings against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz

The United States carried out a series of airstrikes on Iranian military facilities near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, in an operation that marks a new escalation in the conflict between Washington and Tehran.

According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), Air Force fighter jets and Navy aircraft attacked air defense systems, ground control stations, and surveillance radars used by Iranian forces. A U.S. official cited by Reuters stated that nearly 20 targets were struck.

The White House justified the offensive as a response to the incident that occurred off the coast of Oman, where a U.S. Apache helicopter crashed into the sea after being hit by an Iranian drone.

Although U.S. authorities have not publicly determined whether the crash was accidental or intentional, President Donald Trump authorized the operation after receiving additional information from his military advisors.

The action represents the first major American attack since the ceasefire reached between both countries on April 7, a truce designed to create space for negotiations aimed at ending the war.

However, diplomatic talks have stalled in recent months due to disagreements over the Iranian nuclear program and other regional security issues. Officials from both countries had expressed doubts about the feasibility of reaching a permanent agreement.

According to preliminary assessments from the Pentagon reported by The Telegraph, most of the missiles and drones subsequently launched by Iran were intercepted, and there were no reported U.S. casualties or significant damage to military installations.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that some of the U.S. attacks impacted civilian infrastructure in Hormozgan province, including water storage facilities that supply thousands of people in the town of Sirik.

The military operation once again raises tensions in one of the world's most strategic regions for energy trade, due to the importance of the Strait of Hormuz for the international transit of oil and gas.