The United States military says it has destroyed an Iranian underground weapons facility believed to be targeting oil and gas shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, in a move seen as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The strike, carried out by U.S. warplanes, targeted a bunker along Iran’s coastline housing anti-ship cruise missiles, mobile launch systems and radar infrastructure used to track maritime traffic.
According to U.S. Central Command chief, Brad Cooper, the operation involved heavy aerial bombardment, including 5,000-pound munitions, which he said successfully destroyed both the weapons storage site and its supporting intelligence systems.
The announcement came as more than 20 countries signalled readiness to support efforts to secure the Strait, condemning Iran’s actions in the region and calling for safe passage of commercial vessels.
The waterway, which handles roughly a fifth of global oil and gas shipments, has seen severe disruption in recent weeks following Iran’s restrictions and attacks on shipping lanes and energy infrastructure.
Despite the strike, Tehran maintained that its actions are targeted, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi saying restrictions apply only to countries involved in military actions against Iran.
Global oil prices have surged sharply amid the crisis, with benchmark crude climbing by more than 50 percent over the past month, raising fears of a prolonged energy shock.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to cast a shadow over daily life in Iran. Thousands gathered for Eid al-Fitr prayers, even as airstrikes and security concerns persist across parts of the country.
Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has remained largely out of public view since assuming power earlier this month, following the death of his predecessor in an earlier strike.
The crisis has also raised concerns over nuclear safety after reports that the Natanz Nuclear Facility was targeted.
However, international monitors say there has been no indication of radiation leakage.
Analysts warn that despite sustained strikes, Iran retains significant military capability, with some suggesting it could continue retaliatory operations for several more weeks.
The conflict, now entering its fourth week, shows little sign of easing, with fears growing of a broader regional fallout and prolonged disruption to global energy markets.
