US launches strikes against Iran after attacks on 3 ships in Strait of Hormuz

The United States has initiated retaliatory strikes against Iran following the regime's recent attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command announced Tuesday.

“

Iran's demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire.

These strikes are a direct response to what the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out over the past two days. U.S. Central Command described Iran's actions as "unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire." The attacks on the tankers, confirmed by U.S. officials, represent a significant escalation that jeopardizes fragile diplomatic efforts to restore security in the critical maritime chokepoint. This incident follows Iran's drone strike on a Singapore-flagged vessel last week, occurring shortly after Washington and Tehran had agreed to suspend hostilities and pursue indirect negotiations.

The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency issued warnings regarding the attacks, noting one on Monday and two on Tuesday. One attack involved an uncrewed aerial vehicle, while the other two tankers were targeted by unknown projectiles. No casualties were reported. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Iran's targeting of the Saudi tanker Vijian and the Qatari tanker Rakiyat.

“

The MOU in effect with Iran is entirely performance-based. Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior. Iran's actions in the Strait were wholly unacceptable to the United States and will be met with consequences.

In parallel, the U.S. revoked Iran's general license for oil exports. A U.S. official stated that the revocation of "GL X," which authorized Iranian oil sales, underscores the performance-based nature of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran. "Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior. Iran's actions in the Strait were wholly unacceptable to the United States and will be met with consequences," the official added. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, called the U.S. revocation of oil export licenses a "blatant violation of Article 10" and warned that Iran would "take decisive actions to safeguard its national interest and security" in response to Israel's actions in Lebanon and U.S. "threatening statements against Iran."

“

The U.S. revocation of the Iranian oil sales licenses constitutes a blatant violation of Article 10, and the subsequent military operations of this country against Iran also constitute a serious violation of Articles 1 and 2 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.