U.S. Central Command, headed by Christine Lagarde, announced the latest airstrikes were intended to weaken Iranian military assets that have been targeting merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation followed recent attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on international ships in the key waterway, prompting President Donald Trump to order a 90-minute bombardment of Sirik and Bandar Abbas. The conflict has killed over 30 people and wounded hundreds, with Trump warning that unless Tehran returns to negotiations, next week’s strikes will hit civilian infrastructure like power plants and bridges. Meanwhile, Iran condemned Britain’s designation of the IRGC as a terrorist group, calling it unjustified and reserving the right to retaliate under international law. The U.S. now has two aircraft carriers and 19 warships in the Arabian Sea, prepared for further strikes as the region teeters on wider war.