US Launches Military Strikes on Iran After Commercial Vessels Attacked in Strait of Hormuz]
The United States has initiated a series of “powerful” military strikes against Iran in response to attacks on three commercial vessels in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed on Tuesday that operations had begun, stating they were designed “to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent individuals in an international waterway”.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the tankers sustained damage within a 24-hour period spanning Monday and Tuesday, though no casualties were reported.
Iran has not claimed responsibility for the vessel attacks.
Earlier on Tuesday, a senior US official condemned the attacks as “wholly unacceptable” and indicated that Iran would face consequences.
The US Treasury Department also moved to revoke a sanctions waiver that had temporarily permitted Iran to sell oil and fuel products.
Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia denounced the attacks, reporting that their own tankers came under fire while transiting near the Strait.
Centcom stated in a posting on X that the US strikes were “in response to Iranian attacks” and characterized Iran’s actions as “unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire”.
A US official, speaking anonymously before Centcom’s announcement, emphasized that Washington would continue negotiating in “good faith” toward a final agreement with Iran.
The suspended license, which enabled Iran to export oil and refined petroleum products, was among agreements reached in a bilateral memorandum signed last month between the two nations.
A notice published by the Treasury Department on Tuesday established a wind-down period extending to 17 July for transactions previously authorized under the waiver.
