U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has begun a third round of strikes in as many days against Iranian military targets, with operations commencing at approximately 4:45 p.m. ET, marking another escalation in the rapidly expanding confrontation centered on the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest strikes follow days of Iranian attacks on commercial shipping, Tehran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, and previous U.S. operations targeting Iranian missile sites, naval assets, air defenses, command-and-control facilities, and coastal surveillance infrastructure.

Today's operations also come after the revocation of the U.S. sanctions waiver covering Iranian petrochemical exports, President Donald J. Trump's announcement that the U.S. naval blockade of Iran will resume tomorrow, and his warning earlier today that "we're just going to hit them very hard" and that military action would continue "tonight and tomorrow."

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order drastically shrinking the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments in Utah, reimposing an order he made in 2017 during his first presidency that was later rescinded by President Joe Biden. The signing of the order was attended by Governor Spencer Cox and Utah’s federal delegation, made up of Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. John Curtis, Rep. Celeste Maloy, Rep. Blake Moore, Rep. Mike Kennedy, and Rep. Burgess Owens.

The Ministry of Defense has announced that the national tankers Mombasa and Bahia were struck by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters.

According to the Ministry, one Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa was killed and eight others were injured, including four with serious injuries. The casualties include six Indian nationals and two Ukrainians. Both vessels sustained damage and onboard fires, which have since been extinguished.

The government condemned the attack as a serious violation of international law, warning that it reserves the right to respond and stating its armed forces are on high alert as tensions continue to escalate in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a new advisory after a tanker reported being struck by an unknown projectile on its starboard side near the engine room while transiting near Qalhat, Oman.

According to the advisory, all crew members are safe and accounted for, and no pollution or environmental impact has been reported. The vessel remains under investigation.

This is a separate incident from the attack announced earlier by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense, which said two UAE-flagged tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz, leaving one crew member dead and several others injured.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced the completion of its third consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets, continuing operations aimed at degrading Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

During the approximately five-hour operation, U.S. forces struck military targets in Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa Island, and Bandar Abbas, focusing on coastal defense systems, missile and drone infrastructure, naval assets, and maritime support capabilities.

The latest strikes come amid continued Iranian attacks on commercial shipping, Tehran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, and ahead of the reinstatement of the U.S. naval blockade of Iran, which is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. ET on July 14. The campaign reflects an increasingly sustained U.S. effort to reduce Iran's ability to disrupt one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints.

Brent crude futures have climbed above $81 per barrel, its highest level in weeks, as markets price in growing risks around the Strait of Hormuz.

The surge follows days of Iranian attacks on commercial shipping, three consecutive nights of U.S. strikes on Iranian military targets, and the reinstatement of the U.S. naval blockade of Iran. With commercial traffic through the Strait sharply reduced, investors are adding a larger geopolitical risk premium to global oil prices.

While Pakistan has fallen short of condemning Iran’s attacks against their Gulf neighbors and commercial shipping, choosing to use circuitous language in their statements, their response to the Houthis has been a bit more robust. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif openly condemned the Houthis attacks against Saudi Arabia, saying “Such reprehensible actions constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have the potential to further undermine regional peace and stability.”

The U.S. has reportedly paused the withdrawal of its aerial refueling aircraft from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

The Times of Israel, citing the Israel Airports Authority, reports that the tankers continue to occupy parking space needed for civilian operations, potentially putting up to 50,000 airline tickets at risk of cancellation during the peak summer travel season. The aircraft had begun departing earlier this month after a temporary easing of tensions, but that process has now reportedly been suspended.

At the height of Operation Epic Fury, more than 30 U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft were based out of Ben Gurion.

The Houthis have published a statement warning airlines against operating in Saudi Arabian airspace, stating carriers should "take our warnings seriously" until what they describe as the blockade of Sana'a International Airport is lifted.

The message follows yesterday's missile attack by Saudi Arabia targeting Sana'a International Airport and raising tensions in civilian aviation in the region. The Houthis have issued similar aviation threats in the past against Israel.

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) have reportedly struck 116 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov over the past nine days, using one-way attack drones in an effort to disrupt the maritime logistics sustaining Russia's war effort and operations supporting the occupation of Crimea.

The campaign follows a sustained series of Ukrainian strikes targeting fuel depots, storage facilities, and logistics infrastructure on the Crimean Peninsula that reportedly forced authorities to restrict civilian fuel sales to prioritize military and government needs.

Kuwait’s armed forces have said that their air defenses are dealing with another wave of Iranian drone and missile attacks on the Gulf country.

President Donald J. Trump has issued a lengthy statement on Truth Social declaring that the Strait of Hormuz is now open to all commercial shipping except vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports or carrying Iranian cargo, crediting recent U.S. military operations with restoring freedom of navigation.

Trump said the U.S. will maintain a full blockade of Iran, warning that the country's leadership is leading Iran down "the path of TOTAL DESTRUCTION." He also announced he is abandoning the proposed 20% "United States reimbursement fee" floated yesterday, saying it will instead be replaced by trade and investment agreements with Gulf states.

The statement comes after three consecutive nights of CENTCOM strikes against Iranian military targets, ahead of the formal resumption of the U.S. naval blockade, and amid continued Iranian attacks on commercial shipping and heightened military activity across the Gulf.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi meets U.S. President Donald J. Trump for a much anticipated visit, against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and continued corruption crackdowns in Iraq.

Air raid sirens are sounding across Bahrain amid indications of another Iranian missile and/or drone attack targeting the Gulf kingdom.

Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and has been repeatedly targeted during the current escalation, making it one of the primary locations for Iranian retaliatory strikes against U.S. and coalition interests in the region.

The self-destruct circuit appears to have been engaged on a Patriot interceptor missile today over Bahrain during Iran’s most recent wave of missile and drone attacks against the Gulf country.

Kuwait's Ministry of Defense says its air defenses have intercepted 1 ballistic missile, 5 cruise missiles, and 33 drones launched by Iran during the latest wave of attacks.

According to the Ministry of Defense, several civilian and critical infrastructure sites sustained damage from falling debris. A Kuwaiti Navy vessel was also struck, leaving four service members injured. All are reported to be in stable condition after receiving medical treatment.

Kuwaiti officials say the Armed Forces remain on high alert and continue to respond to ongoing threats.

It’s now 4:09 pm Eastern Time and U.S. Central Command has announced the resumption of the blockade of vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports. More than 20 U.S. naval vessels are operating in the Middle East, per the release.

Another round of U.S. strikes on Iran is likely now underway, as explosions have been heard in Sirik and other areas of Southern Iran adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz