US Completes 90-Minute Wave of Strikes Against Iran as Trump Threatens to 'Knock Out All Their Power Plants'
US CENTCOM completed a 90-minute wave of precision strikes against Iran, targeting coastal defense systems on Greater Tunb island in the Persian Gulf. President Trump reimposed the Strait of Hormuz naval blockade and threatened to destroy Irans power plants and bridges if Tehran refuses to negotiate. Prime Minister Netanyahu warned Iran as Israel remains on high alert for potential retaliation through regional proxies.
In a recent i24NEWS English report, details emerged of the United States launching its fifth consecutive round of military strikes against Iran, a 90-minute operation that targeted Iranian coastal defense systems and cruise missile sites in the Persian Gulf. The strikes mark a significant escalation in the ongoing US-Iran conflict, with direct implications for Israel and the broader Middle East region.
US Completes 90-Minute Wave of Strikes Against Iran as Trump Threatens to 'Knock Out All Their Power Plants'
Jerusalem, Israel — July 15, 2026 — The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Tuesday that it had completed a new wave of precision strikes against Iran, a 90-minute operation targeting coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites on the Iranian island of Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf. The operation, conducted between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM Israel time, represents the fifth consecutive round of US military strikes against the Islamic Republic in recent days.
Escalation in the Persian Gulf
The latest strikes came as President Donald Trump reimposed a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the strategic waterway open to all ships "except those coming to and from Iranian ports, or carrying anything that has to do with Iranian cargo." In a Fox News interview, Trump escalated his rhetoric significantly, warning: "We're going to hit them very hard tonight. We're going to hit them very hard tomorrow night. We're going to hit them very hard the night after... We're going to knock out all their power plants, we're going to knock out all their bridges, unless they get to the table and negotiate."
According to CENTCOM, US forces conducted precision strikes against multiple military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian coastal areas, hitting missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems across a seven-hour raid that included the 90-minute wave. The US military also confirmed that it had redirected two commercial vessels attempting to break the naval blockade on Iranian waters.
Iranian Retaliation and Regional Fallout
In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it struck a US naval base in Bahrain, an airbase in Jordan, and damaged several MQ9 drones while attacking a launch ramp at the Ali al-Salem base in Kuwait. The IRGC's claims of hitting the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain mark a significant escalation in the conflict's geographic scope. Iran's government spokesperson reported that at least 30 civilians have been killed in recent US strikes, though these figures remain unverified by independent sources.
Iran has also threatened to halt all Middle East energy exports amid the renewed US blockade, a move that would have catastrophic implications for global energy markets and directly impact Israel's energy security. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which approximately 20 percent of the world's oil passes.
Israel's Position and Netanyahu's Warning
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning to Iran amid the escalating conflict, stating: "The days are over when someone hurts us and we don't hit them with one blow." While Israel has not been directly militarily involved in the current US strikes against Iran, the proximity of the conflict and Iran's history of targeting Israeli interests through its proxies — Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and militia groups in Syria — places Jerusalem on high alert.
The IDF has reportedly increased its readiness levels along Israel's northern border with Lebanon and Syria, where Iranian-backed forces remain active. Israeli defense officials have been in close consultation with US CENTCOM counterparts, though details of these coordination efforts remain classified. The potential for Iranian retaliation against Israeli targets, either directly or through proxy forces, remains a central concern for Israeli security planners.
Diplomatic and International Reactions
The United States has announced new sanctions against individuals and entities linked to Iranian and Russian proliferation programs, published on the US Treasury Department's website, targeting networks contributing to weapons of mass destruction programs in Tehran and Moscow. Axios reported that Trump held a Situation Room meeting to discuss plans for a broader offensive against Iran, wider in scope than current operations, with sources indicating discussions of "devastating strikes" on targets in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
International reaction has been mixed. European Union foreign policy officials have called for restraint and renewed diplomatic engagement, while the United Kingdom has expressed support for the US position on maritime security in the Gulf. The new Arab League chief has slammed Iran, stating that an attack on one Arab state will be treated as an attack on all, signaling a shifting regional alignment against Tehran.
Analysis and What This Means
The 90-minute US strike wave and the reimposition of the naval blockade represent a significant inflection point in US-Iran relations. For Israel, the developments carry both opportunities and risks. The degradation of Iran's military capabilities serves Israeli security interests, particularly regarding Tehran's nuclear program and ballistic missile development. However, the risk of Iranian retaliation against Israeli targets — whether through direct missile attacks or proxy forces in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and Iraq — has never been higher.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz also threatens global energy supplies, which could have economic repercussions for Israel and the region. Israeli officials are watching closely as the situation develops, with the Prime Minister's Office maintaining direct communication channels with Washington. Netanyahu's scheduled trip to the United States on Saturday, confirmed by a senior Israeli official to i24NEWS, will likely focus heavily on coordination between Jerusalem and Washington regarding the Iran situation.
As the US continues its military campaign and Iran threatens retaliation, the Middle East stands at a precarious moment. The coming days will determine whether this escalation leads to de-escalation through negotiations — as Trump has suggested is his goal — or a wider regional conflict that could draw in Israel and other regional players. For Israeli readers, the message from Jerusalem is clear: Israel is prepared to defend itself, by itself, if necessary.
By Hannah Berg, Staff Writer
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Wow
0
Sad
0
Angry
0
Israel Correspondent at Global1.News. Based in Tel Aviv, covering Israeli politics, security, technology, and society. Provides balanced, deeply-sourced reporting on one of the most closely-watched regions in the world.
Comments (0)