U.S. Strikes Iranian Missile Sites Near Strait of Hormuz Using Bunker-Buster Bombs, Pentagon Says

(NationalFreedomPress.com) – U.S. forces just obliterated Iran’s hardened missile sites threatening global oil flows, delivering a decisive blow to Tehran’s aggressive blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Story Highlights

President Trump’s military precision strikes neutralize Iranian anti-ship missiles using advanced GBU-72 bunker-busters, securing vital energy routes.
Iran closed the Strait—20% of world oil—in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli actions, endangering American interests and families at the pump.
CENTCOM confirms successful deployment of multiple 5,000-pound penetrators on March 17, first combat use of these weapons.
Strikes counter Iran’s asymmetric threats with mines, drones, and ships, restoring U.S. dominance against radical regimes.

Strikes Target Iranian Coastal Threats

U.S. Central Command executed airstrikes on March 17, 2026, against hardened Iranian missile sites along the coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. Forces deployed multiple GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetrator munitions, each weighing 5,000 pounds and costing around $288,000. These sites housed anti-ship cruise missiles that posed direct risks to international shipping. Iran had closed the strait in retaliation for prior U.S. and Israeli operations, deploying mines, drones, and ships to enforce the blockade. The action marks the first combat use of the GBU-72 following 2021 tests at Eglin Air Force Base.

Air Force Uses Massive Penetrator Bombs to Smash Iran's Anti-Ship Missiles Guarding the Strait of Hormuzhttps://t.co/PmFYnZlBNI

— RedState (@RedState) March 18, 2026

Strategic Defense of Global Energy Lifeline

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow 21-mile waterway between Iran and Oman, carries about 20% of the world’s oil supply. Iran’s regime has long weaponized this chokepoint, dating back to the 1979 Revolution and the 1980s Tanker War. Recent triggers include U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025 using 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, plus an Israeli strike killing security chief Ali Larijani. Iranian army chief Amir Hatami warned of a “decisive and regrettable” response. U.S. forces acted to neutralize these threats, prioritizing American energy security and economic stability over endless globalist appeasement.

CENTCOM Confirms Success Amid Escalation

CENTCOM announced the strikes via X post on March 17 evening, stating U.S. forces “successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions” hours earlier against sites risking international shipping. As of March 18, reports confirm the operation’s success with no detailed Iranian counteraction yet. The U.S.-Israel alliance leverages air superiority and advanced munitions against Iran’s underground coastal defenses and asymmetric tactics. This demonstrates President Trump’s commitment to strong defense, protecting allies and countering terror sponsors without hesitation.

U.S. Air Force precedents suggest F-15E or similar aircraft delivered the payload, building on prior Massive Ordnance Penetrator uses. Iranian Revolutionary Guards operated the targeted facilities, relying on anti-ship missiles for deterrence.

Implications for Energy and Security

Short-term, the strikes reduce Iran’s anti-ship capabilities, potentially reopening the strait and stabilizing oil prices critical to American families. Long-term, they validate GBU-72 effectiveness, shift Middle East power dynamics toward U.S. dominance, and escalate pressures on Iran’s regime. Economic impacts include potential oil spikes if tensions persist, plus costs for the munitions. Shipping firms, oil importers, and Gulf states face disruptions, while defense sectors see bunker-buster validation. Iranian warnings signal retaliation risks via missiles or mines, underscoring the need for sustained vigilance.

Air Force Uses Massive Penetrator Bombs to Smash Iran's Anti-Ship Missiles Guarding the Strait of Hormuz https://t.co/aJJ0BYaQi1

— streiff (@streiffredstate) March 18, 2026

Expert analysis from Air Force tests highlights the GBU-72’s superior penetration over predecessors like the GBU-28. U.S. sources frame the action as purely defensive, while Iran views it as provocation. No independent verification of strike efficacy or casualties exists yet, with minor reporting discrepancies on bomb weight noted.