The U.S. military completed a 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iran on Thursday, targeting military command centers, drone storage facilities and coastal surveillance sites as tensions remained high over security in the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command said its forces "successfully completed the 13th straight night of strikes against Iran" at 9 p.m. EDT.
CENTCOM said it targeted "Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities to further diminish the threat Iran poses to civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz."
Iranian media reported explosions in several locations. The semiofficial Fars News Agency said explosions were heard in the southwestern city of Ahvaz.
Iran's state broadcaster also reported explosions west of the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and on the southern coast of Qeshm Island. There was no immediate official word on casualties or the cause of the explosions.
Bandar Abbas is Iran's principal port on the northern shore of the Strait of Hormuz. Qeshm Island lies just south of the port in the narrow waterway through which about 20% of the world's oil supply normally passes.
CENTCOM said, "The international waterway remains open for transit despite recent attacks from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps." It added that "Commercial vessels continue to freely navigate the strait with U.S. military support."
Thursday's strikes came after Iran-backed Houthi terrorists claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, raising concerns about maritime security and helping to push oil prices above $100 a barrel.
The Trump administration has said its military campaign is intended to reduce Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier Thursday, President Donald Trump warned Iran would face "major military punishment" if attacks by the Tehran-backed Houthis continued.