U.S. Forces Strike Iranian Sites for Fifth Straight Day, Disable Oil Tanker

U.S. and Iranian forces have traded airstrikes for five consecutive days as of July 16, 2026, Washington Examiner reported. U.S. Central Command conducted a second round of airstrikes on Wednesday targeting Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities.

U.S. forces struck targets in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and coastal defense and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island. U.S. forces also disabled an unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward Kharg Island by firing Hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack.

President Trump was presented with military options including the use of U.S. troops to seize Kharg Island and other territory along the Strait of Hormuz during a White House Situation Room meeting on Tuesday night, according to the Wall Street Journal. Trump stated on the Hugh Hewitt Show on Monday that Pickaxe Mountain is on the U.S.

Target list, saying “We’re going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. ” The Institute for Science and International Security published a report stating that the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site would be more suitable for ground forces to attack or sabotage. Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Several thousand people gathered in Kyiv to protest the firing and demand his reappointment by parliament. Zelensky also requested the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as part of a Cabinet reshuffle. Pro-government Ukrainian lawmaker Mykyta Poturaev stated he intends to resign in protest of the firing.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new annual testosterone deficiency screening program for U.S. service members age 30 and older. Hegseth stated that service members under age 30 can voluntarily choose to receive the testosterone test.