US Launches New Strikes on Iran; IRGC Fires on Ships in Strait of Hormuz

American forces launched new attacks against targets in Iran late Sunday, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The operation began around 11:00 p.m. Norwegian time. "The goal is to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian sailors and commercial ships passing freely through the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM stated on X. The statement added that President Donald Trump ordered the strikes. On Sunday evening, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired on commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. aircraft successfully shot down an Iranian cruise missile and an attack drone, Axios reported, citing CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins. This is the fourth U.S. attack on Iranian targets within a week. The previous round occurred early Sunday, when Iran confirmed it had fired on ships using a sea route it had not "approved." Explosions were reported on Qeshm Island and near Jask, according to Iranian state television, as cited by Reuters. The Mehr news agency also reported sounds of explosions in parts of Bushehr province. Iran condemned the latest wave of U.S. strikes on its territory, calling them a "waste" of recent diplomatic efforts, according to the AFP news agency.