Story perspectives

U.S. Airstrikes Target Iranian Missile Sites Amid Hormuz Blockade

3/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted airstrikes against underground Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz on March 18.
CENTCOM said the strikes used GBU-72 deep-penetrator bombs to target those sites.
The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed due to an Iranian blockade, disrupting about 27% of global maritime energy and prompting ongoing U.S. operations to ensure navigation safety.
U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized reopening the waterway.

History

Historical Context

The Iranian Hostage Crisis began on November 4, 1979, when 66 Americans were taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, with 52 held for 444 days. This event marked a severe decline in U.S.-Iran relations, fueled by the Iranian Revolution and demands for the extradition of the deposed Shah. The crisis ended with the Algiers Accords in January 1981, but tensions persist, influencing U.S. military actions today.

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Story summary

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted airstrikes against underground Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz on March 18.
CENTCOM said the strikes used GBU-72 deep-penetrator bombs to target those sites.
The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed due to an Iranian blockade, disrupting about 27% of global maritime energy and prompting ongoing U.S. operations to ensure navigation safety.
U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized reopening the waterway.

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