U.S. Central Command has declared that the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz remains free and open for all commercial vessels seeking to transit the international waterway. Over the past three months, U.S. forces have assisted more than 1,000 vessels in successfully navigating the strait, despite what the command described as unwarranted Iranian aggression. These transits have been continuing as of the latest update, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to preserving freedom of navigation in one of the world's most critical maritime corridors.

Enforcement actions as of Aug. 12

Alongside maintaining open passage, U.S. Central Command has undertaken a series of maritime enforcement actions targeting commercial vessels in connection with the U.S. blockade against Iran. The operations have involved redirecting, disabling, and boarding vessels to ensure compliance with the blockade measures currently in effect. The following table summarizes the updated enforcement actions reported as of Aug. 12:

According to U.S. Central Command, these combined actions — redirecting 59 commercial vessels, disabling 3, and boarding 2 — are aimed at ensuring adherence to the U.S. blockade against Iran. The broader mission of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international commerce continues in parallel with these enforcement measures.

Air and naval presence in regional waters

As part of the ongoing enforcement presence, more than 20 U.S. warships are currently deployed to the Middle East supporting military missions, including strict enforcement of the U.S. blockade against Iran. Among the vessels deployed is the USS Ross (DDG 71), a guided-missile destroyer forming part of the expanded naval presence in the region. A U.S. sailor has also been reported standing watch in the Combat Information Center aboard the USS Boxer (LHD 4), an amphibious assault ship sailing in regional waters. In the latest development, an F/A-18 fighter jet was seen launching from the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) as the carrier sails in regional waters supporting enforcement of America's 'Steel Wall' blockade against Iran. The combined air and naval deployment highlights the active operational posture maintained by U.S. forces in support of both the enforcement of the blockade and the protection of commercial transit through the strait.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that no U.S. aircraft were destroyed or damaged during a recent attempted surprise attack by Iran. The incident, which involved ballistic missiles and drones fired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), resulted in all projectiles being intercepted or failing to reach targeted areas. This outcome underscores the effectiveness of U.S. defense systems in the Middle East, maintaining force integrity despite the coordinated strike.

Incident Details

The attack occurred at 5:45 p.m. ET, with IRGC forces launching multiple ballistic missiles and drones from Iran. CENTCOM’s update clarifies the operational result beyond the initial interception report:

Strategic Posture

Following the event, CENTCOM stated that U.S. forces remain vigilant and are maintaining a high state of readiness. The successful defense against the barrage highlights the operational capability of deployed air and missile defense assets. No casualties or infrastructure damage were reported in the statement.

Scale of the Attack

The coordinated launch of missiles and drones indicates a significant effort by the IRGC. However, the complete interception rate and lack of damage to U.S. aircraft demonstrate effective engagement by defense systems. The incident reinforces the ongoing security risks in the region while validating current defensive postures.