US ends latest round of airstrikes on Iran after Tehran strikes Gulf states

A small motorboat passes anchored vessels in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)

The US military said on Monday it ended its latest wave of strikes targeting Iran, insisting that Tehran does not control the Strait of Hormuz.

The US military’s Central Command said in a statement that it hit air defence systems, radar sites, missile and drone equipment and small boats.

Central Command said it used fighter jets, ships, aerial drones and naval drones for the first time.

“The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade,” Central Command said.

“Iran does not control it.”

It added: “U.S. forces are postured and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available to commercial shipping despite Iran’s continued unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats and arbitrary declarations.”