U.S. forces have struck more than 170 Iranian military targets in the past two days, including air defense systems, drone and missile storage sites, military speed boats, and logistics infrastructure along the coast near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the U.S. Central Command. That is about 14 times the number of targets the U.S. hit in the most recent two days of retaliatory strikes in late June. Central Command says the strikes are intended to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the strait.
Israel said on Thursday it was prepared to resume its military campaign against Iran if needed, with Defense Minister Israel Katz vowing to do so “with even greater force.”
“The army is ready and on alert for a resumption of fighting, in order to regain air superiority and strike again in Iran,” he said at a military ceremony on Thursday.
Katz added that the Israeli military would not withdraw from what it called “security zones” in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
