March 18 (UPI) -- U.S. forces successfully deployed bunker-buster bombs against hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran's coastline near the strategically key Strait of Hormuz maritime artery, which Iran has effectively closed off.

The U.S. military dropped 5,000-pound bunker buster bombs on Iranian anti-ship missile sites near Strait of Hormuz, targeting threats to international shipping.

The US military claimed that the strikes targeted 'Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles' that posed a direct risk to vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz. The Central Command announced the bombings hours after Trump said most US allies had rejected his appeal for naval ships to escort merchant vessels through the strait.