US strikes southern Iran in response to Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz

Explosions rocked southern Iran early Wednesday as U.S. forces launched a series of strikes in retaliation for Iran's recent attacks on commercial shipping. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strikes, stating they were designed to impose significant costs on Iran for targeting vessels crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway.

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US 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.'

Reports from Iranian state media indicated multiple explosions in areas including Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik. The semi-official Fars News Agency detailed at least 10 explosions in Sirik and four on Qeshm Island. These actions follow Iran's targeting of three commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz within a 24-hour period, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations.

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Iran 'holds the United States responsible for violating the memorandum of understanding, and will take any measures we deem necessary to safeguard our interests and national security.'

Adding to the tensions, Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned a U.S. Treasury decision to revoke the temporary suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil sales. The ministry declared that Iran holds the United States responsible for violating a memorandum of understanding and vowed to take necessary measures to safeguard its national security and interests. Iran also accused the U.S. of repeatedly violating the memorandum's terms, directly or through actions attributed to Israel against Lebanon.

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The US has repeatedly violated the terms of the memorandum of understanding over the past 20 days, either directly or through the actions of the Zionist entity against Lebanon.