"Powerful strikes" launched against Iran after attacks on commercial vessels in Strait of Hormuz: US CENTCOM
Washington, July 8
The United States has launched a series of strikes against Iran in response to attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the US Central Command said on Tuesday.
In a post shared on X, CENTCOM said the military action was aimed at imposing "heavy costs" on Iran following what it described as attacks on commercial shipping in an international waterway.
"U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway," CENTCOM said.
According to CENTCOM, the strikes came after Iran targeted three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
"The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz," the post said.
CENTCOM further accused Iran of violating the ceasefire and endangering maritime security.
"Iran's demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire," it added.
Several explosions were heard near Sirik and Qeshm in southern Iran, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iran's Fars news agency.
According to Al Jazeera, Iranian state media also reported explosions east and west of Bandar Abbas.
Iranian media further reported multiple explosions at Sirik port after projectiles struck commercial and fishing piers, Al Jazeera reported.
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry has accused the United States of violating Article 10 of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) by revoking a temporary sanctions waiver targeting Iranian oil sales, Al Jazeera reported.
In a statement, the ministry condemned the US Treasury Department's decision, calling it a "clear violation" of the memorandum signed on June 18.
According to Al Jazeera, the ministry said the move, taken less than 20 days after the agreement was signed, demonstrated "bad faith" and showed that the US administration could not be trusted.
The ministry also accused Washington of repeatedly breaching provisions of the memorandum, both directly and indirectly through what it described as Israeli actions against Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.
According to Al Jazeera, the US military strikes came shortly after Washington revoked the temporary sanctions waiver on Iranian oil, increasing pressure on Tehran as both sides continue negotiations over a final settlement to the conflict.
Earlier on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department cancelled a licence issued in June that had allowed Iran to produce, sell and deliver crude oil and related products through August 21, Al Jazeera reported.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The timeline here is suspicious. US revokes oil sanctions waiver, then immediately launches strikes? Feels like a pre-planned escalation. Meanwhile, innocent civilians in Sirik and Bandar Abbas will suffer. WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER. Diplomacy, talks, anything but bombing ports. India should use its good offices to de-escalate — we have ties with both Iran and the West.
Look, Iran attacking commercial ships is wrong — full stop. Those are crewed by innocent civilians from all over the world, including Indians. But US striking back without clear evidence shared internationally? That sets a dangerous precedent. The ceasefire they mention... was there even a proper ceasefire in place? Seems like both sides are playing games while the region burns. 🔥
India must tread carefully. Our Chabahar port project with Iran is critical for Afghanistan trade, but we also need the US relationship. This kind of confrontation makes it harder for neutral countries like us. I just hope our diplomats are already working behind the scenes. And yes, the timing of the sanctions waiver revocation seems deliberately provocative.
Every time US does this, I remember how they left Afghanistan in chaos. Now they want to impose order in Hormuz? The hypocrisy is staggering. Yes, protect commercial shipping — but do it through international maritime coalitions, not unilateral bombing. And why does Iran always get the blame? What about Israeli actions in Lebanon mentioned in the article? Double standards are real. 🎯
My cousin is a merchant navy officer and transits
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