CENTCOM says US has struck Iran multiple times, blockade resumes

US Central Command says American forces have carried out multiple waves of precision strikes against Iranian military targets, with the latest round tied to renewed attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation puts oil, tankers, and defense names back in focus for traders.

What CENTCOM said

CENTCOM said US forces struck military targets across Iran including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping during a five-hour mission.

The command said CENTCOM forces employed precision munitions against Iranian coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities. Earlier waves also used US fighter aircraft, naval vessels, one-way attack aerial drones, and one-way attack sea drones for the first time.

Naval blockade back on

CENTCOM said US forces resumed a naval blockade against vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday. More than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are currently operating across the Middle East, according to CENTCOM.

More than 50,000 US service members remain deployed across the Middle East, as the military says American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.

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Tankers hit, Gulf allies drawn in

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defense said two national tankers were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz within Omani territorial waters, with the Mombasa and Al Bahiyah tankers hit in the attack, killing one Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa and injuring eight others, including four seriously.

The Bahrain Defence Force said Tuesday that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed a number of Iranian aerial aggressions. Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, said Iranian forces have also launched dozens of missiles and drones toward neighboring Gulf countries.

Policy and sanctions angle

President Donald Trump said he is backing away from a 20% fee on cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz, replacing it with trade and investment deals from Gulf states.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury Department is working to disrupt Iran’s illicit financial activities, including what he described as Tehran’s abuse of digital assets, and that the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned multiple wallets tied to the Central Bank of Iran, resulting in the freeze of more than $130 million.

Options market and stocks to watch

With roughly a fifth of global oil flows moving through Hormuz, any escalation typically spills into energy, defense, and shipping tapes. Watch for:

• XOM and CVX: watch for crude-linked flow if Brent pushes higher on supply-risk premium.
• USO: watch for volume spikes as traders position around the Hormuz headline risk.
• LMT and RTX: watch for defense-sector bid tied to munitions replenishment and elevated CENTCOM tempo.
• STNG: watch tanker names for reactions as shipping insurance and rerouting costs climb.

Follow the tape for more geopolitical and macro news that can move these tickers intraday.

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