According to a report by Reuters on July 15, the US military launched two more air strikes against Iran that day, targeting coastal defense systems and missile facilities near the Strait of Hormuz. They also continued their maritime blockade of Iranian ports. Facing continuous pressure, Iran warned that it has now entered a 'battle for survival with the United States', and threatened that further actions would affect regional energy transportation.
On that day, the US military carried out two air strikes against Iran, targeting the coastal defense systems of the Greater Tunb Island near the Hormuz Strait, as well as storage and launching facilities for cruise missiles.
The United States Central Command stated that the move is aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities that pose a threat to international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and emphasized that the operation was carried out under the direction of President Trump.
July 15th, Tehran, Iran: Anti-American billboards display advertisements showing US President Trump lying in a coffin. IC Photo
Three American officials told Reuters that the U.S. military’s strike is not only aimed at ensuring the Strait of Hormuz can be used again, but also to weaken Iran’s military strength in advance of possible more complex military operations in the future.
Meanwhile, the US military continues to enforce a naval blockade against Iranian ports. The US military stated that a cargo oil tanker, ignoring warnings, sailed towards the Iranian island of Kharg. It lost its ability to navigate after its chimney was hit by an ‘Hellfire’ missile. Since the resumption of the blockade, the US military has forced two ships to change their course, and paralyzed another ship.
"We are engaged in a life-or-death war with the United States." After the US military carried out another air raid on Iran, Iran's Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator, Kallibari, issued a statement saying that Iran has never welcomed war, nor has it sought to initiate war. However, in order to protect national security and interests, Iran must always be prepared for combat.
He also stated that Iran should continue to use diplomatic and negotiation methods to safeguard and strengthen its national interests.
Iranian media reported that the United States also attacked cities such as Abhar, Ahvaz, Khorramabad, and Konarak on that day. Iranian state television said that a hospital in Abhar, which has a children's cancer center, was also attacked. The hospital experienced an emergency evacuation, and there are currently no reports of casualties.
In response, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard announced that they had launched attacks against US military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. The Kuwaiti side stated that they intercepted 4 missiles and 21 drones on that day, with no casualties or property damage incurred.
Trump continued to send strong signals that day, saying, "We will soon defeat Iran." He also said that Iran "very much hopes for an agreement," and that the United States would decide "whether to reach an agreement or to completely end this situation."
Reports indicate that this is the latest escalation after a fragile ceasefire between the two sides broke down. Although analysts generally believe that neither the United States nor Iran wants the situation to slide back into full-scale warfare, the confrontation over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and military actions in the region continues, and tensions in the Middle East are unlikely to ease in the short term.
