The United States military on Wednesday took a significant step to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, striking Iranian missile sites near the critical waterway with 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs. This move, which has been regarded as the first step, aims to reduce Iran’s threat to international shipping. Amid ongoing conflict, Iran has implemented a selective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, halted most international shipping while permitting vessels from some countries to pass.
US CENTCOM Hails Successful Operation
The US Central Command announced the operation in a post on X, stating that the bombs were used to target hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran's coastline. According to the CENTCOM, the Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed great risk to international shipping in the strait. The operation was successfully carried out by deploying 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on missile sites.
“Hours ago, U.S. forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the strait,” US CENTCOM wrote.
The US’ action comes after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation to strikes against it, disrupting maritime traffic that led to a surge in energy prices globally. Despite repeated warnings, Iran didn’t reopen the strait for several western tankers, while it allowed vessels of some countries to pass.
What Led To The Action?
This development also comes after US President Donald Trump's efforts to rally international support for securing the Strait of Hormuz have fallen flat, with most allies, including NATO, rejecting his call to help ease the blockade on the region's oil exports. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime route, with approximately 20 per cent of global oil supplies and similar volumes of liquefied natural gas (LPG) passing through it. Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned that the situation in this critical maritime region won’t return to its "pre-war state.” In a post on X, Ghalibaf wrote, “The Strait of Hormuz situation won't return to its pre-war status.”
Bunker Buster Bombs
The US arsenal includes two primary 5,000-pound "bunker buster" bombs, and one of them was used in this operation. The US arsenal includes two primary 5,000-pound "bunker buster" bombs, and one of them was used in this operation. These bombs are used to destroy high-value military targets that are hardened or buried deep underground. The bunker buster bombs, costing around USD 288,000 each, are less powerful than the 30,000-pound (13,600 kg) Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs dropped on Iranian nuclear sites last year.