US Gives Iran’s Coastline a Surprise Makeover, One Missile at a Time

KEY POINTS

•On Wednesday, the U.S. military struck multiple Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz to stop attacks on commercial ships.
•These strikes targeted Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, and the Island of Lavan, hitting coastal radars, missile positions, and air defenses.
•CENTCOM stated these actions are intended to degrade Iran's capabilities and hold Tehran accountable for aggression against civilian ships.

In a splashy two-day sequel nobody really asked for, the U.S. military took its strikes on Iran’s southern coastline up a notch Wednesday, targeting Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, and even the Island of Lavan, like grumpy neighbors fed up with noise complaints. According to a U.S. official, Wednesday's attack was wider in scope — basically cover band mode compared to Tuesday's garage rehearsal — hitting Iranian coastal radars, anti-ship missile spots, and air defenses. CENTCOM announced that President Commander-in-Chief, in a ‘must-stop-this-temple-of-sea-trouble’ mood, authorized the strikes to 'degrade Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation' in the narrow Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s state media surely appreciated the attention, as did commercial ships hoping to navigate that vital waterway without being part of some naval remake of Fast & Furious.