U.S.-Iran War Broadens

U.S. forces launched waves of strikes on Iran on July 15, hitting coastal defense systems and cruise missile sites that Central CommandCentral Commandtheater-level Unified Combatant Command of the U.S. Department of Defense responsible for the broader Middle East said threatened Strait of Hormuz shipping. The attacks followed Trump’s July 14 restoration of a naval blockade of Iranian ports; CENTCOM said it redirected two commercial vessels in the first 17 hours. Trump reviewed expansion options, including possible action around Kharg Island, and withdrew a proposed 20% Hormuz cargo fee. Iran declared the June 17 memorandum of understanding void and granted its armed forces “complete freedom of action.”