March 18, New Delhi – The U.S. military struck Iranian missile sites near the strategic Strait of Hormuz using some of its most powerful bombs.
The military stated on Tuesday that the strikes targeted sites along Iran's coastline because Iranian anti-ship missiles posed a threat to international shipping in the area.
With Iran largely blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about one-fifth of the world's oil shipments, the U.S. deployed some of its heaviest bombs to neutralize the missile sites.
U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized that the United States "does not need any help" in reopening the Strait, despite previously calling for international support to protect shipping during the conflict with Iran. Speaking from the Oval Office during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Michael Martin, Trump told reporters, "We don't need too much help, and we don't need any help" regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that maritime traffic through the Strait will not resume under the same conditions even after the current conflict ends. Ghalibaf also stated that Iran is prepared for a long-term war with the U.S. and Israel and possesses ample reserves of missiles and drones.
(File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump)
