There is a war going on in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the United States Central Command informed on Tuesday (17 March 2026) that America has taken a major step in trying to control the Strait of Hormuz. The US Army has attacked missile bases in the coastal areas of Iran with heavy bombs. According to the US Army, Iranian anti-ship missiles deployed at these bases were posing a threat to the ships passing through this waterway, hence action was taken against them.
According to AP report, deep penetrator or bunker buster bomb was used in the American attack. These are very heavy bombs, which can destroy even strong bases hidden underground. During this war, Iran took control of the Strait of Hormuz, due to which the movement of ships almost stopped. This had an impact on oil and energy prices worldwide and prices increased rapidly. Earlier, US President Donald Trump had sought help from other countries, but some NATO countries like Britain and Spain refused to participate. They did not want to make this war bigger.
Hours ago, US forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the… pic.twitter.com/hgCSFH0cqO
— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 17, 2026
What are bunker buster bombs?
These are such special bombs which target strong targets built underground. The US Air Force successfully tested such a bomb in 2021, which is called GBU-72/B. It is used to destroy hidden military bases of the enemy. According to the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracy, it is a 30,000-pound category weapon with a 5,000-pound warhead.
Controversy regarding Iran war
Even before this, the US had targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities such as Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant, Natanz Nuclear Facility and Isfahan Nuclear Technological Center during Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025. Meanwhile, within America too, differences of opinion have emerged regarding the current action. Where Joe Kent, director of the National Anti-Terrorism Center, resigned from his post and said that he cannot support this war.
