In brief
The United States has launched a series of powerful strikes on Iranian targets following attacks on three commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Centcom stated the assault was to impose heavy costs on those targeting innocent shipping crew in an international waterway. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the strikes, but the U.S. revoking a temporary oil sanctions waiver signals a tightening of pressure. Regional allies such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also condemned the incidents, raising concerns over global energy security and international navigation.
The United States has launched a series of ’powerful’ strikes on Iran in response to attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the assault began on Tuesday, stating the goal is to impose heavy costs for targeting commercial shipping in an international waterway.
The tankers were damaged within a 24‑hour period on Monday and Tuesday, with the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reporting no casualties. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the incidents.
US officials warned that Iran would face consequences and called the attacks “wholly unacceptable.” The U.S. Treasury also revoked a sanctions waiver that had temporarily lift oil sanctions on Iran.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia have denounced the attacks, saying their vessels were struck while transiting the Strait. Both countries demanded Iran immediately cease practices that undermine regional security and global energy supplies.
Centcom’s statement posted to X said the strikes were “in response to Iranian attacks” and that Iran’s aggression was a clear violation of the ceasefire. An unnamed US negotiator noted that talks would continue in “good faith” towards a final deal with Iran.
The revoked U.S. licence, which allowed Iran to sell oil and petroleum products, was part of a memorandum of understanding signed last month by Washington and Tehran. A notice on the Treasury website allows a wind‑down period to 17 July for transactions that had been permitted under the waiver.
In related incidents, the UKMTO reported a tanker experiencing a fire after an unknown projectile hit its engine room on Monday. Another tanker was struck on Tuesday as it exited the Strait but was able to proceed to its next port. A third tanker reported minor structural damage after being struck.
