US drops 5,000-pound bombs on Iranian targets near Strait of Hormuz

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-03-17-2026#0000019c-fe0b-d0ed-a3be-ff2bc4450000

US deploys 5,000-pound bombs at Iranian targets near Strait of Hormuz
By AAMER MADHANI

The U.S. military has fired multiple 5,000-pound (2,270-kilogram) deep penetrator bombs on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command.

The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles targeted at the sites posed a risk to international shipping in the strait, according to Central Command. The U.S. announced the bombings hours after Trump said NATO and other allies had rejected his calls to join a U.S. effort to secure the vital waterway.

About 20% of the global oil supply flows through the strait on a typical day, but it has been effectively closed by Iran since the U.S. and Israel began bombarding Iran on Feb. 28.

...

[Swede]

1. The GBU-28 (5000 lb bomb) costs between $145,000 and $200,00 per unit.

Specialized "bunker buster" bombs, such as the 5,000 lb {Link: GBU-28, are significantly more expensive, costing roughly $145,000 to over $200,000 per unit in older estimates.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Cheaper than a cruise missile

But still way more expensive than the drones that will continue to be a major part of Iran’s strategy, and which were likely not affected by these attacks.

[WarGamer]

3. Why do people say the Strait is closed... Iran has announced it's open to all ships from a list of countries including

China and India.

[OC375]

4. Effectively closed

They have been/were shooting at everything including their own ships. People are scared, so it’s effectively closed.

[WarGamer]

5. 6 tankers passed through just yesterday

NORA - IMO 9237539 - flag of Guyana and (undisclosed owner)

KARACHI - IMO 9903413 - flag of Pakistan (Pakistani owner)

MDL KAMRAN - IMO 9189770 - flag of Panama (Panama company)

MV MINOAN SKY - IMO 9422328 - flag of Liberia. (Greek owner)

ANTHEA - IMO 9317729 - flag of Marshall Islands (Greek owner)

LACON - IMO 9277565 - flag of Liberia (Greek owner)

[OC375]

6. Not arguing

Just my take on why it’s perceived as being closed. YMMV

[LudwigPastorius]

7. "Why do people say the Strait is closed..."

A distinction without a difference...

https://portwatch.imf.org/pages/cc317ba850e34c4dadbead6f7b336fb1