US forces complete 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran

US Central Command, or CENTCOM, says American forces have completed another round of strikes against Iran.According to CENTCOM, the operation targeted Iranian maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites and air defense assets. The US military said the strikes were aimed at further reducing Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping and civilian mariners. The latest operation comes as Washington continues both its air campaign and naval blockade against Iran. CENTCOM said US forces have redirected nine commercial vessels and disabled one ship in recent weeks to prevent traffic to and from Iranian ports.The US military also said that more than 50,000 American service members are currently deployed across the Middle East and remain on high alert as tensions with Tehran continue.Houthis says they targeted Saudi oil tankers in Red SeaYemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement says it has targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, escalating tensions around one of the world's key energy shipping routes.The group identified the vessels as the Encelia and Layla, saying they were attacked with ballistic and cruise missiles for allegedly violating a Houthi naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, announced earlier this week.A maritime security source told Reuters, the Saudi-flagged tanker Encelia sent a distress call after reporting it had been hit by a missile and caught fire near the Saudi port of Jizan.Maritime security firm Vanguard and the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) also reported a tanker being struck by an unidentified projectile in the same area, causing a fire onboard. No casualties have been reported.According to UKMTO, the ship’s master reported the incident approximately 70 nautical miles (130 kilometers) south-west of Al-Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia.