US military extends Iran campaign to northwestern provinces amid $37.5bn cost disclosure
Operations resume in Sirik, Bushehr and Tabriz while Pentagon confirms escalating financial burden of conflict
The United States military has commenced its 11th consecutive night of strikes against Iran, marking a significant geographical expansion of the conflict. Operations resumed on 7 July following the collapse of a ceasefire memorandum that had halted hostilities since 17 June, according to reports from Al Jazeera.
US Central Command confirmed that the latest phase of the campaign began at 2300 GMT on Tuesday. The offensive has extended beyond the southern regions and the immediate vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, which had been the primary focus of recent operations. Explosions were reported in Sirik and Bushehr in the south, as well as in Tabriz, located in the northwestern part of the country.
Residents in northeastern Tehran also reported hearing air defence activity and multiple blasts during the overnight operations. While the specific identity or nature of the targets within the newly struck provinces remains unverified in available reports, the expansion indicates a broadening of the military campaign.
The stated objective of the US military is to degrade Tehran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Targeted infrastructure includes military operations centres, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, and drone storage facilities. The Pentagon has emphasised that these actions are aimed at restoring security to critical maritime trade routes.
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth disclosed that the conflict has incurred a cost of $37.5bn. This figure, attributed specifically to the US Department of Defence, highlights the escalating financial burden of the sustained military engagement. The disclosure comes as the campaign continues to draw significant human and material costs, according to Pentagon disclosures.
