CENTCOM: US Announces Another Round of Attacks on Iran

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it has launched a new round of attacks against targets in Iran. The attacks come as U.S. forces prepare to resume a naval blockade of Iran’s ports and coastal areas. Iranian media reported hearing the sound of explosions in Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, and Qeshm Island.

• CENTCOM has claimed that it has launched a new round of attacks against targets in Iran.
• CENTCOM said U.S. forces are preparing to reimpose a naval blockade on Iran’s ports and coastal areas.
• Iran International reported, citing CENTCOM, that the attacks began on Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. Tehran time.
• Iran International said the purpose of the attacks was to reduce Iran’s ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran International, citing CENTCOM, said the naval blockade would begin at 11:30 p.m. Tehran time.
• IRNA, Akharin Khabar, Seda-o-Sima News, Mashregh News, and Akhbare Fori described the move as “aggression and attacks on Iranian soil.”
• IRNA described the move as “a new round of Washington’s war-mongering” and “a violation of the Islamabad agreement,” linking it to an order from U.S. President Donald Trump.
• The IRIB news agency called CENTCOM a “terrorist organization.”
• Iranian media reported hearing several explosions in Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, and Qeshm Island.
• Seda-o-Sima News pointed to a renewed sound of explosions in Ahvaz.. Coverage difference: Domestic Iranian media (IRNA, Akharin Khabar, Seda-o-Sima News, IRIB News Agency, Mashregh News, Akhbare Fori, and Didban Iran) described the attacks as “aggressive” and “war-mongering,” and some of them referred to hearing explosions in Iranian cities. By contrast, Iran International provided more details on the timing of the attacks and the naval blockade, as well as CENTCOM’s stated objective for these actions. IRIB News Agency also called CENTCOM a “terrorist organization.”