U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began striking military targets in Iran at 7:00 p.m. ET for the 11th consecutive night, at the Commander in Chief's direction, to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The latest round of strikes marks a further escalation in a sustained military campaign that has now extended across more than a week of consecutive nightly operations. The operations continue to target Iranian military assets that have been used to threaten commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the strategically critical waterway. The campaign remains authorized under a 60-day period notified to Congress under the War Powers Act, with over 50,000 U.S. service members currently operating across the Middle East.

Military Operations and Strategic Context

The ongoing campaign represents a significant and sustained escalation, with CENTCOM confirming successive rounds of strikes on Iran's military infrastructure. Earlier operations targeted Iran's coastal surveillance, air defense sites, and military logistics infrastructure, before expanding to Tehran's military assets. President Donald Trump directed the strikes to hold Iran accountable, stating that the U.S. is "winning big" in Iran and that results would be visible shortly. The escalation follows Iran's violation of a memorandum of understanding regarding attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also mentioned plans to rescind the 20% fee on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and previously indicated that Iranian energy targets are being saved for last.

Market Reaction and Commodity Prices

The sustained military activity continues to impact global financial markets and commodity prices. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was trading at $79.76 per barrel, while Brent crude surged 0.85% to $84.95 per barrel. The United States Oil Fund (USO) rose 0.96% to $120.45 during after-hours trading. Domestic fuel prices also reflected the ongoing tension, with the spot price of jet fuel at $3.57 per gallon and the national average price of gas at $3.9430 per gallon.

Iran has announced the restoration of its war-damaged air defense systems and the deployment of new air defense capabilities, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), citing an army spokesman. The development underscores the country's focus on rebuilding and reinforcing its defensive infrastructure.

Defensive Readiness Beyond Borders

The Iranian army spokesman stated that the armed forces' defensive readiness is not confined to border areas, indicating a wider operational scope for Iran's defense posture. The remarks, as reported by IRNA, highlight the military's emphasis on comprehensive coverage across various domains.

Air Defense Systems Restored and Expanded

According to IRNA, Iran has successfully restored air defense systems that sustained war damage and has also deployed new air defense assets. The following key developments were reported:

The army spokesman's statements, as conveyed through IRNA, reflect Iran's stated commitment to maintaining and enhancing its defensive capabilities across multiple fronts.