The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it targeted Iranian military command centers, air defense, coastal surveillance sites, and missile launch sites. It indicated that this is aimed at undermining Iran's ability to attack commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Strikes in honor of American soldiers

US President Donald Trump said the latest military strikes against Iran are being carried out in honor of American soldiers killed in recent days. Trump told reporters upon his return to Washington after attending the World Cup final: 'We hit them very hard again tonight in honor of the great patriots, most likely three.' He indicated that these soldiers were killed so that Iran could not possess a nuclear weapon.

One dead and one wounded

Earlier on Sunday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the death of one American soldier and the injury of another during an operation to deal with unexploded ordnance from an Iranian drone that crashed earlier in northern Iraq.

US Central Command: We targeted Iranian military command centers, air defense, coastal surveillance sites, and missile launch sites to undermine Iran's ability to attack commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz — AlEkhbariya Breaking (@alekhbariyaBRK) July 20, 2026

CENTCOM clarified in a statement that the soldier was killed while conducting a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance, while another soldier sustained minor injuries and is receiving treatment.

Related news

This brings the number of American soldiers killed since the outbreak of war between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other on February 28 to 17, according to US Central Command.