U.S. Central Command launches further strikes on Iran, exchanges enter fourth day

2026-07-14

U.S. Central Command launches further strikes on Iran, exchanges enter fourth day

Resumes maritime blockade

U.S. Central Command said on the 14th via social media that it had begun additional strikes against Iran. The attacks are now in their fourth straight day. The Iranian side has also not let up, with the Revolutionary Guard attacking U.S. bases in Gulf Arab states.

Power struggle in the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. Central Command said it resumed a maritime blockade on Iran at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the 14th, or 5 a.m. on the 15th in Japan. The move is intended to block the movement of ships belonging to Iran and its trading partners in and out of Iranian ports. It said more than 20 vessels and hundreds of military aircraft have begun operations.

The blockade stems from a confrontation over control of the Strait of Hormuz. While U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded the full opening of the strait, Iran insists on its right to control it. After the Revolutionary Guard declared on the 12th that it would re-block the strait, Trump announced on the 13th that the blockade against Iran would resume. He also said, 'We intend to strike hard tonight and tomorrow.'

No prospect of an end to fighting

According to Iranian media, the Revolutionary Guard attacked U.S. bases in Bahrain and Kuwait on the 14th. It also issued a statement saying 'retaliation will continue' as long as U.S. attacks continue.

About a month has passed since a memorandum was signed toward ending the fighting, but no compromise is in sight. The two sides had planned to spend 60 days discussing Iran's nuclear issue and other matters, but have yet to enter substantive talks.

The situation in Lebanon, where Iran is calling for a complete ceasefire, is also an obstacle. The Israeli military remains deployed in southern Lebanon and continues military operations against the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah. Iran is demanding a ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon, and has reacted angrily.

US news site Axios reported on the 14th that Trump asked for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and Syria during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the 9th. Trump is believed to want to restrain Israeli military actions, but Netanyahu has not backed away from his hard line, and it is unclear whether he will comply.

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