Explosions were reported in the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island – which includes an underground “missile city” – on Monday – as US Central Command announced that forces had completed another wave of strikes against the theocracy.
Iranian and American forces exchanged retaliatory strikes in recent days after President Trump announced the end of the memorandum of understanding between the two countries.
It is not known whether the explosions caused any damage or casualties, according to the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr.
Bandar Abbas has strategic importance because it is located on the coast of the Strait of Hormuz. Qeshm Island, surrounded by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is a key location where the regime houses ballistic missiles.
Iran claimed to have shot down a US “enemy Lucas-type” drone over Bandar Abbas, according to Mehr Agency.
This comes at a time when US Central Command announced that US forces struck “dozens of targets” as part of the recent wave of attacks.
US Central Command said the strikes “limit Iran’s ability to continue attacking international shipping flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.”
She added: “US Central Command forces struck Iranian military air defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats using US fighter aircraft, naval vessels, one-way attack aerial drones, and one-way attack marine drones for the first time.”
“The Strait of Hormuz is a vital sea lane for global trade. Iran does not control it.
He added, “US forces are ready and prepared to ensure freedom of navigation remains available for commercial shipping despite Iran’s ongoing unprovoked aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary announcements.”
Meanwhile, Tehran says it targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, and destroyed radar systems in Oman in retaliation.
Tehran pledged to close the strait, which led to a rise in oil prices.
Brent crude rose 3% on Monday – although it remains well below the peak reached earlier in the nearly five-month-old conflict.
Tehran wants to create a permit system for ships using the vital waterway, but Washington says Tehran “does not control the strait.”
With mail wires.