The United States conducted airstrikes against targets in Iran on Tuesday, shortly after revoking a waiver that permitted the global sale of Iranian oil. This military action follows alleged Iranian attacks on three commercial ships within the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Pentagon.
The U.S. Central Command announced on social media that American forces launched strikes to impose heavy costs on Iran for targeting commercial vessels operated by civilians in international waters.
The vessel attacks included incidents involving a Saudi oil tanker and a Qatari liquefied natural gas carrier off the coast of Oman. These events posed a threat to energy supply resumption and the preliminary agreement between Washington and Tehran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
A statement from Central Command emphasized the unwarranted and dangerous nature of Iran’s actions, violating the cease-fire in place. The attacks have increased tensions as the United States aims to restore access to the strait, vital for international trade.
Tehran has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attacks, nor has it commented while engaged in funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader whose death marked the beginning of the conflict. Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are paused until the funeral’s conclusion.
The preliminary accord between both nations to reopen the strait remains ambiguous, lacking details on implementation. The agreement assigns Iran to manage the previously blocked traffic but disputes linger over the routes of commercial ships, with some opting for paths near Oman, assisted by American forces.