Tehran/Washington, 22 July (H.S.): The United States has carried out airstrikes on Iranian military sites for the 11th consecutive night, with the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stating that the operation aims to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM said in a post on X that the latest strikes against Iranian military targets began at 7 pm local time (Eastern Time), marking the 11th straight night of US military operations. Following the fresh wave of American strikes, Iran activated its air defence systems across several parts of Tehran.

According to reports by international media outlets, including CNN, Al Jazeera, ABC News and CBS News, Iran’s air defence systems were deployed in multiple areas of the capital in response to the attacks. Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported hearing explosions in western, eastern and northeastern parts of Tehran.

CENTCOM claimed that Iran had attacked more than 30 commercial vessels passing through key international waterways during the past three months, posing a threat to global trade. It said such attacks had endangered the lives of hundreds of civilian sailors and undermined freedom of navigation.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud. According to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, the two leaders discussed intensifying diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, strengthen regional security and stability, and enhance coordination between their countries.

Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of all sides remaining committed to diplomacy and working towards implementing provisions agreed upon in the US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

The impact of the US-Iran conflict was also felt in the US Senate, where Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tough questions from lawmakers during a congressional hearing regarding military operations against Iran and the financial costs associated with the campaign.

The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks against Iran. On the first day of the offensive, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, several members of his family, and senior military commanders were reportedly killed. Although diplomatic efforts later led to talks between US and Iranian representatives in June and a temporary ceasefire was announced, hostilities between the two sides continued.

The Strait of Hormuz has remained the centre of tensions, with both sides intensifying military operations in and around the strategically important waterway.

The Pentagon has identified the third US service member believed to have been killed in last week’s attack on an air base in Jordan. The Defence Department said Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, 28, from Ozone Park, New York, was believed to have died during an Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17. An investigation into the incident is underway.

CENTCOM had earlier listed Rampersad as missing. The Pentagon confirmed that two other US personnel — 19-year-old Private Isabella Gonzales from Carrollton, Texas, and 25-year-old First Lieutenant Tyler Feehan from Ewa Beach, Hawaii — were also killed in the attack.

The Defence Department also identified a service member killed in Iraq. With these casualties, the total number of US troops killed since the beginning of the conflict has risen to 18. American officials said nearly 100 US service members have been injured in Iranian attacks this month.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend a dignified transfer ceremony on Wednesday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to honour American troops killed in recent Iranian attacks.

Meanwhile, Iran has continued its offensive actions. Kuwait said it has been defending against Iranian drone attacks, with its air defence systems responding to the threats. Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency reported that Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base, where US troops are stationed, was targeted.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar