US launches fresh strikes on Iran after tanker attacks in Strait of Hormuz

US launches fresh strikes on Iran after tanker attacks in Strait of Hormuz 

The United States has launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran, targeting more than 80 military sites after three commercial oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, dramatically escalating tensions in the Gulf and raising fresh concerns over global energy supplies.

The strikes, announced by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday, targeted over 80 Iranian military assets, including missile launch sites, command-and-control centres, radar installations, air defence systems, drone launch facilities and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fast attack boats operating in the strategic waterway.

According to CENTCOM, the operation was designed to “impose heavy costs” on Iran for what Washington described as attacks on commercial vessels crewed by innocent civilians in international waters.

The military action followed separate attacks on three oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes through which nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that one tanker caught fire after an unidentified projectile struck its engine room, while two other vessels sustained damage in separate incidents but were able to continue their voyages.

Although Iran has not officially admitted responsibility for the attacks, the United States, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have accused Tehran of orchestrating the assaults.

Qatar said one of its vessels, Al-Rekayyat, was deliberately targeted while sailing near the Strait of Hormuz, while Saudi Arabia said its crude oil tanker, Wadyan, was also struck during transit.

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Iran rejected the allegations, insisting that commercial vessels failing to coordinate with Iranian maritime authorities or tampering with navigation systems risked accidents and collisions.

Hours after the US operation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced retaliatory missile and drone strikes on what it described as 85 US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

The IRGC claimed the attacks targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Independent verification of the extent of the reported attacks had not been immediately available.

Iranian state media also reported explosions in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Sirik, and other southern locations, saying several civilians were injured by flying debris following the US bombardment.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister described the US military action as a clear violation of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed last month, warning that Tehran would take “decisive measures” to defend its sovereignty.

The country’s Foreign Ministry also condemned Washington’s decision to revoke a temporary waiver that had allowed limited Iranian oil exports under the agreement.

According to Iranian officials, the move demonstrates the “bad faith, inconsistency and unreliability” of the US government and effectively undermines diplomatic efforts.

Before launching the strikes, the US Treasury revoked the waiver that had temporarily eased oil sanctions on Iran.

The decision restores restrictions on Iranian crude exports and significantly increases economic pressure on Tehran.

US President Donald Trump warned that Washington was prepared to carry out further military operations if Iran continued attacking commercial shipping or violated the ceasefire framework reached last month.

Despite the latest escalation, US officials said diplomatic negotiations remain open and that Washington continues to pursue a long-term agreement with Tehran.

The renewed confrontation has heightened fears of prolonged instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf with global markets.

Any sustained disruption to shipping through the waterway could significantly affect global energy supplies and drive up international oil prices.

Oil markets reacted immediately to the latest developments, with crude prices climbing as investors weighed the risk of further attacks and possible disruptions to one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

The latest exchange of military action represents one of the most serious confrontations between the United States and Iran since the two countries signed a 14-point memorandum aimed at extending a ceasefire and reducing hostilities across the region.

While both sides continue to insist that diplomatic channels remain open, the latest escalation has cast fresh doubt over the future of the agreement and renewed fears of a wider regional conflict.

US launches fresh strikes on Iran after tanker attacks in Strait of Hormuz