WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States has launched what it described as “powerful” military strikes against Iran after three commercial oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Tuesday that American forces struck more than 80 targets, including over 60 small boats belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as missile launch sites and command centres.
According to CENTCOM, the operation was intended to impose significant costs on those responsible for attacks on commercial shipping.
“The strikes were conducted to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent individuals in an international waterway,” CENTCOM said.
Iran reports casualties, launches retaliation
Iranian state media reported that the strikes hit Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Sirik, with several people reportedly injured by shrapnel.
Although Tehran has not directly claimed responsibility for the attacks on the three oil tankers, the IRGC announced that it had retaliated by launching missiles and drones against US military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait early Wednesday.
The IRGC said the attacks targeted 85 US military facilities, including a US Navy headquarters in Bahrain and an air base in Kuwait.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister condemned the US operation, describing it as a violation of the memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran last month.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also criticised the US decision to revoke a sanctions waiver that had temporarily eased restrictions on Iranian oil exports, calling the move evidence of Washington’s “bad faith, inconsistency, and unreliability.”
It warned that Tehran would take whatever measures it considered necessary to safeguard its national interests and security.
Gulf states condemn tanker attacks
Qatar and Saudi Arabia separately condemned the attacks on commercial shipping, saying tankers flying their respective flags had been struck while transiting through or near the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar accused Iran of carrying out a targeted attack on the tanker Al-Rekayyat, while Saudi Arabia alleged that the tanker Wadyan had also been targeted.
Iran rejected the accusations.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described Qatar’s claims as inconsistent with the principles of good neighbourliness, adding that vessels failing to coordinate their routes with Iranian authorities risked collisions and disrupted efforts to facilitate safe navigation.
Shipping security concerns
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported multiple incidents involving commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the agency, one tanker suffered an engine-room fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile on Monday.
Two additional tankers reported being hit on Tuesday, with one sustaining minor structural damage while another continued its voyage after the incident.
Diplomatic uncertainty
The military escalation comes despite recent diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.
Last month, the two countries agreed to a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at extending a ceasefire and reducing tensions across the region.
The agreement also envisioned talks involving Iran, Oman and other Gulf states on the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz.