The U.S. military has launched a significant strike on Iranian missile installations near the Strait of Hormuz, deploying 5,000-pound bunker buster bombs, officials have confirmed.
This operation, announced by the U.S. Central Command, comes amid ongoing tensions with Iran that have disrupted the vital shipping lanes of the Persian Gulf.
“Earlier today, U.S. forces effectively utilized multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on fortified Iranian missile sites located along Iran’s coast near the Strait of Hormuz,” the regional command declared on X at approximately 7 p.m. EST.
CENTCOM further explained that these Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles presented a threat to international vessels navigating through the strait.
A U.S. official informed CNN that the munitions used were the GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetrator, a type of explosive first deployed by U.S. aircraft in 2021.
This powerful bomb was specifically developed to address the challenges of targeting hardened, deeply buried locations and is compatible with both fighter jets and bomber aircraft, as detailed in a 2021 press release from the U.S. Air Force.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by an Iranian blockade using mines, drones and ships, halting 27% of global maritime energy and causing oil prices to surge above $100 per barrel.
Trump, both publicly and on social media, has lashed out at European allies — including France and the UK — for their refusal to help reopen the crucial waterway.
The US will “continue to rapidly deplete Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz,” Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, said in a video statement on Monday.
“Our progress remains steady, and we remain vigilant against the enemy,” Cooper continued.
