In brief
The U.S. Central Command announced it had begun missile strikes on Iranian forces after three commercial vessels were struck in the Strait of Hormuz. No casualties were reported, but the attacks imposed heavy damage on the tankers and escalated tensions. Iran has not claimed responsibility, while the U.S. revoked a temporary oil sanctions waiver. Qatar and Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks, and the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported projectiles and fires on several tankers. U.S. officials vowed to continue negotiations but warned of serious consequences for Iranian aggression.
US troops fired a series of missile strikes on Iranian positions early Tuesday in response to reports that three commercial tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
Central Command issued a statement declaring the strikes were “to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent individuals in an international waterway.”
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations, the vessels were damaged within a 24‑hour window on Monday and Tuesday, but no crew members were injured.
Iran has not claimed responsibility for the strikes, and no Iranian sources have provided an explanation.
In a related move, the US Treasury revoked a sanctions waiver that had temporarily lifted oil sanctions on Iran, citing a breach of the ceasefire.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia publicly condemned the attacks, with each country stating that one of its tankers was struck as it crossed the strait. Both nations called for an immediate cessation of such hostile actions against international maritime trade.
The UKMTO reports a tanker experienced a fire after a projectile struck its engine room, and two other tankers sustained minor structural damage but were able to proceed to port.
A US official, speaking before the Central Command announcement, said that the nation would continue to work in good faith towards a final deal with Iran, but made it clear that consequences would follow for further aggression.
The revocation of the US licence that allowed Iran to sell oil and petrol was part of the memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran last month, and a notice published on the Treasury’s website now allows a wind‑down period until 17 July for existing transactions under the waiver.
