US Launches New Strikes on Iran in Retaliation for Ship Attacks in Hormuz Strait

The United States has launched a new series of strikes against Iran, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) stating the operation was in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. “US Central Command has launched a series of powerful strikes against Iran to deliver a significant impact for targeting and attacking innocent civilian-crewed commercial vessels in international waters,” CENTCOM said via social media platform X on Tuesday. The strikes were in retaliation for Iranian attacks on three merchant ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. “This unprovoked, dangerous aggression by Iran is a clear violation of the ceasefire,” CENTCOM added. According to Axios, the US military strikes targeted air defence systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missile installations, anti-ship cruise missile and drone launch sites, and port facilities in Iran. A US official also told Axios that the latest strikes were four to five times more powerful than those conducted ten days prior. Meanwhile, Iranian state media IRIB reported on Tuesday that a Qatari vessel, the Al-Rekayyat, was attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz via the Omani route with US Navy support but was targeted after several warnings were issued. PBS News reported that three oil tankers were recently struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.