US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it completed its latest major wave of strikes against Iran at 9:40 p.m. ET on Thursday night (4:40 a.m. Friday morning Israel time).
“US forces, including fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships, launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities," CENTCOM said in a statement, adding, “This was the sixth consecutive night of US strikes against Iran."
“At the Commander in Chief's direction, CENTCOM is further degrading Iranian military capabilities and holding Iran accountable for recent attacks on commercial shipping," said the statement.
It noted that more than 50,000 US service members are operating across the Middle East “and remain vigilant, lethal, and ready."
Iranian media reported that the US strikes targeted a wide range of objectives, including Iranshahr Airport. Further reports indicated that the bridge connecting Bandar Abbas and Shiraz was attacked, as was a railway station in Bandar Abbas.
As the US attacks continued, the Iranian military claimed that it carried out a strike using unmanned aerial vehicles against US military helicopters and reconnaissance aircraft stationed at Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain.
Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti military announced that the country's air defense systems were operating to intercept incoming missile and drone threats.
Loud explosions were also heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar, as the country's air defense systems engaged to intercept missiles launched from Iran.
Earlier reports indicated that the United States is preparing to escalate military pressure on Tehran and has informed Israel of its intentions to expand the current campaign.
In talks between US and Israeli officials, it was noted that the US Air Force's next strike targets are expected to include vital infrastructure and strategic energy sites across Iran.
Iranian military spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi claimed that "the only way to pass through the region is through the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic Republic's sovereignty over the strait provides security for the entire region, not insecurity. We insist on America's withdrawal from the region and will never give up Hormuz. If our infrastructure is targeted, all infrastructure in the region will become our target. We have delivered a crushing response to the enemy and will continue to do so; they have taken severe blows."
Earlier in the evening, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the US blockade of ships entering and departing Iranian ports is in full effect. She noted that the blockade was reimposed due to "Iran's inability to honor their agreement with the United States of America."
She added that more than 10,000 US sailors, marines, and airmen, along with two aircraft carriers, more than 20 warships, and dozens of aircraft, are executing the blockade.
According to Leavitt, in the first 24 hours of the blockade, CENTCOM redirected two compliant commercial vessels and "disabled" one compliant vessel.