The United States continued its military campaign against Iran on July 21, with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launching its 11th consecutive night of strikes. The operation began at 7:00 p.m. ET, and by 8:15 p.m. ET CENTCOM confirmed successful strikes on Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure. The strikes are intended to further reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said Iran has attacked more than 30 commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz over the past three months, putting hundreds of civilian mariners at risk and undermining freedom of navigation. Despite the attacks, the waterway remains open to commercial traffic. Since early May, CENTCOM forces have helped facilitate the transit of about 900 commercial vessels carrying approximately 450 million barrels of crude oil. As of July 21, U.S. forces had redirected eight commercial vessels and disabled one to enforce the U.S. blockade against Iran.
Iran responded by saying it had prepared comprehensive defence and operational plans to counter any attempt to invade its territory. An Iranian army spokesman said Tehran would not allow foreign forces to establish a foothold in the country and that contingency plans cover sparsely populated areas, including certain islands and coastal zones where U.S. forces might attempt to infiltrate. He also warned that any territory used to launch attacks against Iran, even if only temporarily occupied by hostile forces, would be targeted.
Early on July 22, Iran’s Hatam al-Anbiya Central Command warned that any U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites or other sensitive facilities would be treated as an expansion of the regional war. The command said that if such attacks occur, all U.S. and allied interests across the Middle East would be considered legitimate targets for forceful action by the Iranian armed forces.
The Pentagon also announced that a U.S. service member who went missing on July 17 after an Iranian strike on Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base is believed to have died, raising U.S. military deaths to 18 since large-scale U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran began in late February. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said military operations against Iran have now cost about $37.5 billion, up from the Pentagon’s May estimate of $29 billion. He said the increase reflects operational spending and equipment attrition, while the Pentagon is seeking the Trump administration’s proposed $67 billion foreign-defense funding package, including $21 billion for high-end missiles and munitions, $2 billion to replace combat losses or damaged equipment, and $11.6 billion for drones, satellites, and other advanced technologies.
Separately, foreign media and people familiar with the matter said new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved continued U.S. use of UK military bases for partial “defensive strikes” on Iran, maintaining the policy adopted under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Following a policy review chaired by Starmer last Friday, the UK agreed to allow U.S. aircraft to operate from Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Burnham, who took office on Monday, was briefed on the decision and approved the missions, which are described as targeting Iranian missile threats and assets used to attack facilities in the Strait of Hormuz.
