The United States intensified its military campaign against Iran, with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirming another round of strikes at 10:30 p.m. ET on July 22. The operation marked the 12th consecutive night of U.S. strikes, targeting Iranian maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets.
CENTCOM said the strikes were aimed at further reducing Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels. Earlier on July 22 at 5:30 p.m. ET, U.S. forces had launched another wave of strikes under the direction of President Donald Trump. The military also said American forces have targeted dozens of Iranian military sites this month while resuming a naval blockade against Iran.
According to CENTCOM, nine commercial vessels have been redirected and one vessel has been disabled to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports. More than 50,000 U.S. service members remain deployed across the Middle East. The U.S. Navy said guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) continues supporting blockade operations in the Arabian Sea.
On July 23, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said three tankers it accused of being backed by the United States were blocked while attempting to pass through a lane south of the Strait of Hormuz where sea mines were being laid. The IRGC said one vessel exploded and caught fire, while the other two turned back. It also claimed it had taken control of and “completely sealed” the Strait of Hormuz, warning that tankers attempting uncoordinated passage without Iran’s approval would face the same consequences.
The Wall Street Journal, citing flight-tracking data and U.S. officials, reported that the United States is urgently deploying additional troops, medical personnel and equipment to the Middle East as President Trump considers broader action against Iran. The report said special operations forces, fighter squadrons and bombers have been repositioned, while more than 150 medical personnel recently arrived at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
Separately, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it had temporarily evacuated diplomatic staff from Iran because of the changing security situation, although the British embassy in Tehran will continue operating remotely. Iran’s deputy foreign minister told diplomats from 25 European countries that recent U.S. military action had brought no strategic benefit and threatened regional and global peace. Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia central command also said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed under previously announced transit arrangements and warned it would cut all Gulf oil flows and target regional energy and economic infrastructure if the United States carried out further threats.
Axios reported that the U.S. military used a B-1 long-range bomber to strike targets linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), marking the first reported B-1 mission since hostilities resumed 12 days ago. The bomber can carry up to 24 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each or dozens of cruise missiles, signaling an expansion of U.S. military operations in the region.
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering resuming large-scale military operations against Iran. However, CENTCOM’s statement on Tuesday’s strikes did not mention the B-1 bomber, and officials have not confirmed the specific targets or whether the mission was more effective than recent attacks.
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