The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday evening, 24 Tir, that American forces have begun the second wave of their attacks on Iran.

In a statement, CENTCOM said the operation began at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time and that its targets are “Iran’s military capabilities,” which the agency said are used to threaten ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the vital waterways of global trade.

Alongside the release of the statement, the Telegram channel “ ” reported, citing its audience, that multiple explosions were heard in the cities of Ahvaz and Chabahar.