Trump Declares Strait of Hormuz Open After US Airstrikes Hit 140 Iranian Targets

Trump Declares Strait of Hormuz Open After US Airstrikes Hit 140 Iranian Targets

The overnight bombing campaign targeted drone sites, naval assets, and communication networks in response to attacks on cargo shipping.

The strategic balance of the global energy trade hangs in the balance as the United States military launched a massive, retaliatory bombing campaign overnight inside Iran. On July 12, 2026, President Donald Trump asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping, directly defying efforts by Tehran to shut down the vital waterway. This direct military intervention underscores the high stakes of keeping global trade channels clear, particularly when hostile forces threaten the safe passage of commercial vessels.

What Happened

According to a New York Post report, the United States military executed an intense, widespread aerial campaign overnight, striking a total of 140 targets across Iran. This massive operation was launched in direct response to the latest series of hostile attacks on commercial cargo ships navigating the critical shipping corridor.

The US military operation specifically targeted Iranian military capabilities designed to disrupt maritime shipping. Among the 140 targets hit during the overnight blitz were drone and missile sites, naval assets, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks, and surveillance locations.

Following the strikes, President Trump addressed the situation during an appearance on NBC’s "Meet the Press." When questioned about the status of the waterway, Trump stated, "Yeah, it’s open." He further explained the scale of the response by asserting, "We bombed the hell out of them last night," as detailed by the New York Post.

Fact Box

• Total Targets Hit: US forces successfully struck 140 military sites inside Iran during the overnight bombing campaign.
• Target Types: The military operation destroyed or disabled drone and missile sites, naval assets, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks, and surveillance locations.
• Key Choke Point: The Strait of Hormuz is recognized globally as a critical oil choke point and a vital passage for cargo ships.
• Official Confirmation: Both President Trump and US Central Command have insisted that the waterway is fully open to commercial traffic following the military action.

Opposing Context

Before the overnight strikes, Tehran had issued strong warnings regarding the passage, moving to close the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. Iranian forces had previously launched attacks on cargo ships within the corridor, attempting to enforce their control over the waterway. Despite the overwhelming firepower displayed by the United States military overnight, Iranian leadership had previously warned that the passage was closed, creating a direct conflict of authority and security assurances between Washington and Tehran.

Why It Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is arguably the most critical maritime passage in the world, serving as a primary oil choke point through which a significant portion of the global energy supply must pass. Any prolonged disruption to this waterway has immediate, cascading effects on international markets, fuel prices, and supply chains. By conducting a 140-target strike, the United States demonstrated its willingness to use maximum military force to protect freedom of navigation. According to details published by the New York Post, US Central Command has remained steadfast in its insistence that the choke point must remain open, showing that the US views any threat to the corridor as an unacceptable disruption to global stability.

What Happens Next

In the wake of the massive airstrikes, all eyes are on how commercial shipping companies will react. While US Central Command and President Trump have declared the waterway safe and open, shipping lines must evaluate the ongoing risk of transit. The international community will closely monitor the strait to see if commercial traffic resumes its normal patterns under the protective umbrella of the US military. Additionally, global security analysts are waiting to see if there will be diplomatic fallout or potential maritime retaliation from Iran in the coming days.

What We Still Don't Know

• Casualties and Damage: The exact number of casualties resulting from the 140 overnight airstrikes remains unknown, as does the precise level of physical damage at each target site.
• Specific Cargo Vessels: The specific identities of the cargo ships that were targeted by Iran prior to the US airstrikes have not been disclosed in the current reports.
• Iranian Retaliation Plans: It is still unknown how Iran plans to respond to the US bombing campaign, or if they will attempt further covert attacks on shipping.
• Shipping Company Reactions: It is unclear if major international commercial shipping firms are immediately ordering their vessels back into the Strait of Hormuz or if they are holding back out of caution.

Source Note

The information in this article is based entirely on reporting by Ronny Reyes for the New York Post, published on July 12, 2026.