The United States has launched a series of powerful military strikes against Iran in direct response to attacks on three commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the commencement of the assault on Tuesday, stating the action was necessary to impose significant costs for the targeting of commercial shipping crews in international waters. Centcom described Iran’s aggression as dangerous, unwarranted, and a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement between the two nations.
The attacks on the tankers occurred within a 24-hour window between Monday and Tuesday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). While no casualties were reported, the incidents caused damage to the vessels. One tanker reportedly suffered a fire after an unknown projectile struck its engine room on Monday. On Tuesday, a second tanker was hit while exiting the Strait but managed to continue to its destination, while a third vessel sustained minor structural damage. A US official condemned the actions as wholly unacceptable and warned that Iran would face consequences.
Regional powers Qatar and Saudi Arabia have both denounced the attacks and blamed Iran. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, held Iran fully responsible for the targeted attack on the vessel Al-Rekayyat, demanding that Tehran cease practices that undermine regional security. Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry stated that the Iranian targeting of the tanker Wadyan constituted an assault on international navigation and global energy supply security.
In response to the escalation, the US Treasury revoked a sanctions waiver that had temporarily permitted Iran to sell oil and petrol products. This waiver was a component of the 14-point memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran last month. The Treasury notice indicated a wind-down period for authorized transactions until 17 July. Iran’s foreign ministry dismissed the move as a breach of the memorandum, citing the US government’s alleged bad faith. Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran warned that Tehran would take decisive measures and whatever steps are necessary to safeguard its national interests.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, rejected the accusations from Qatar as contrary to good neighborly principles. He claimed on Telegram that commercial vessels failing to coordinate routes or tampering with tracking systems risk collision and hinder Iran’s efforts to facilitate safe transit. The recent memorandum of understanding, which included a ceasefire and a $300bn fund for Iran’s reconstruction, now appears to be in jeopardy following these exchanges of fire.
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