US Central Command said it has bombed Iranian antiship cruise missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz to reduce risks to merchant and naval vessels, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

The strikes follow President Donald Trump's declaration that the US would reopen the strait without allied support. Iran has yet to deploy its full missile arsenal, prompting speculation it is reserving weapons for Western naval targets.

CENTCOM said 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs were used against protected sites along the strait. No battle damage assessment was released, and satellite imagery has been delayed, limiting independent analysis.

The weapon deployed was the GBU-72 bunker-buster, introduced in 2021. It can penetrate more than 150 feet of earth and is deliverable by aircraft including the F-15E, B-1B, B-2 and B-52, all active in the conflict.

The US Air Force has already used part of its scarce 30,000-pound GBU-57 stockpile against Iran's nuclear programme. Employing the smaller GBU-72 preserves heavier munitions for other targets.