Tehran Threatens Retaliation Against US Attacks Near Strait of Hormuz

A series of powerful explosions were heard in the Strait of Hormuz region on Tuesday, according to Iranian state media, shortly after US officials announced the launch of a major military strike against Iran. Reports from the state broadcaster IRIB indicated that six explosions were heard on Iran’s Qeshm Island, while seven others rocked the city of Sirik, with additional blasts reported in the major port city of Bandar Abbas. In response to the strikes, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a stern warning, accusing the United States of repeatedly violating a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war in the Middle East and highlighting ongoing aggression in Lebanon and other threats. ‘Iran issues a serious warning regarding the consequences of America’s violation of the agreement, and will take decisive action to protect its national interests and security,’ the ministry stated in a post on IRIB News’s official Telegram channel. Tensions peaked after Washington officially revoked sanctions waivers on Iranian oil on Tuesday. The move came in the wake of an incident involving attacks on three commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz region, increasing pressure on Tehran amid ongoing negotiations between the two countries to end the war. According to data from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the chronology of the attack on the commercial vessels began when an ‘unknown projectile’ struck one tanker at night, causing a fire. Two other ships were subsequently targeted, with at least one confirmed to have been hit by an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone). The three commercial ships were attacked in an area close to Oman. Prior to the incident, Oman had proposed the establishment of a temporary transit corridor along its coastline to ensure safe passage, but the initiative was opposed by Iran, which is currently seeking to impose tariffs on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.