Strait of Hormuz [Reuters=Yonhap News]

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on the 12th (local time) that it has launched additional airstrikes against Iran for threatening merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

On social media platform X, CENTCOM stated, "At 5 p.m. Eastern Time, we initiated additional airstrikes to continue degrading Iran's ability to attack merchant vessels and civilian mariners transiting freely through the Strait of Hormuz."

CENTCOM further added, "The Commander-in-Chief has directed these strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable."

The airstrikes on Iran began at 6 a.m. on the 13th, Korea Standard Time. It was made clear that this operation was directed by the U.S. Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Trump.

The United States has been conducting airstrikes against Iran in response to its attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has retaliated with attacks targeting U.S. military bases in the Middle East. On the 12th, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also announced a full blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.