WASHINGTON: The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that U.S. forces carried out strikes on more than 170 Iranian military targets over the past two days, focusing on facilities located near Iran's coastline.

According to a statement issued by CENTCOM from its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, the operation targeted a wide range of military assets, including air defense systems, drone installations, missile storage facilities, military boats, and logistical infrastructure.

The command stated that the objective of the operation was to degrade Iran's capability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes for global energy supplies.

U.S. officials said the strikes were designed to reduce the operational capacity of Iranian forces responsible for activities that could endanger international navigation in the region.

American media reports indicated that the latest operation was significantly larger than the military action conducted during the two-day escalation in June, with U.S. forces reportedly striking 14 times more Iranian targets than during the previous confrontation.

The announcement comes after the United States launched another round of airstrikes against Iran overnight. U.S. authorities maintained that the attacks were carried out in response to incidents involving commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington blames on Iranian-backed military actions.

The latest escalation has further heightened tensions in the Middle East, raising concerns over regional security and the safety of one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Observers warn that continued military exchanges could increase the risk of broader instability across the Gulf region.