On the evening of March 17, American military forces conducted a large-scale airstrike on Iranian missile sites located near the Strait of Hormuz. The primary objective of the operation was to destroy underground shelters where, according to intelligence, Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles posed a threat to international shipping in the region.
This is reported by Finway
Airstrike and Its Features
During the strike, 5,000-pound bombs (approximately 2,270 kilograms) were used. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), high-tech munitions such as the GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetrator were likely employed, capable of hitting particularly fortified and deeply buried targets. These bombs were first tested by the U.S. Air Force in 2021 and have since become a key element in combating such threats.
“A few hours ago, American forces successfully employed several deep-penetration 5,000-pound bombs against fortified Iranian missile sites along the Iranian coastline near the Strait of Hormuz.”
The operation took place amid escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and the Iranian federation, which has effectively halted shipping along one of the most important maritime routes in the Persian Gulf. According to U.S. military estimates, the destruction of missile sites significantly reduced risks for civilian and commercial vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
Map of the US strike on Iranian missile sites
Political Context and Reactions
In comments to American media, government officials emphasized that the most advanced weaponry was chosen for the operation to minimize risks to civilians and ensure maximum accuracy in hitting targets. Republican Senator and Air Force Colonel Lindsey Graham noted that U.S. President Donald Trump was dissatisfied with the European Union’s refusal to provide support for securing the Strait of Hormuz.
On the same day, the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization reported a projectile landing near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, although details of the incident remain unknown. Additionally, Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center appointed by Trump, announced his resignation, opposing U.S. involvement in military actions on Iranian territory.