The United States carried out its eighth consecutive wave of airstrikes against Iranian military targets overnight into Sunday. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the airstrikes targeted coastal surveillance facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone depots, and other military installations belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The objective of the operation is to further weaken the regime’s military capabilities and to strike those units that the US says are responsible for the deadly attack on American soldiers in Jordan.
Today at 6 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction. The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 18, 2026
The latest escalation was triggered by an Iranian missile and drone attack on the Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Jordan. According to the US military, two American soldiers were killed and another remains missing. Four other soldiers were wounded. President Donald Trump subsequently ordered new retaliatory strikes against military targets in Iran. Â
According to CENTCOM , the latest attacks again targeted military installations in southern Iran. These included air defense sites, coastal radar installations, and storage facilities for missiles and drones. In addition, US forces attacked units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Washington blames for the attack on the US base in Jordan. Â
Washington is thus continuing its strategy of steadily increasing military pressure on Tehran. For the past seven nights, the US has conducted almost daily airstrikes. These attacks have primarily targeted military installations that, according to the US military, are linked to Iran’s missile and drone capabilities and its control of the Strait of Hormuz.
A U.S. Air Force fighter pilot performs pre-flight checks on an F-16 fighter jet. The F-16 is a highly agile, multirole fighter aircraft capable of supporting precision strikes, electronic warfare, and close air support missions. pic.twitter.com/wpC7y8a32x
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 17, 2026
In parallel, the United States is increasing its military presence in Israel. According to multiple reports, the US military is sending dozens of additional tanker aircraft to the country. The Israeli army confirmed on Saturday that the aircraft will be stationed at Israeli air bases and not at Ben Gurion Airport. The decision was made jointly by the US and the IDF to increase military readiness while minimizing disruption to civilian air traffic. Previously, the Israeli Ministry of Transport had limited the number of US tanker aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion Airport to 20 and announced the relocation of additional aircraft to military airfields.
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