The United States launched a new military offensive against Iran and struck more than 80 targets with precision munitions, as reported by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), in response to recent Iranian attacks against three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, an episode that raised tensions in the Gulf and once again put the provisional agreement between both countries at risk.
CENTCOM reported on Tuesday night that its forces completed the operation after an initial series of bombings started hours earlier. In a statement published on the social network X, it maintained that “United States Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed a new round of offensive strikes against Iran on July 7, hitting more than 80 targets with precision munitions as an immediate response to Iran’s latest attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz”.
According to the U.S. command, the targets included Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar stations, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 small vessels belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps deployed in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The military organization identified three merchant vessels as targets of the Iranian attacks: the M/T Al Rekayyat, flying the Marshall Islands flag; the M/T Wedyan, flying the Saudi Arabia flag; and the M/T Cyprus Prosperity, flying the Liberia flag.
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According to the U.S. command, the targets included Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar stations, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 small vessels belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps deployed in and around the Strait of Hormuz (@CENTCOM)
The statement added that “this unjustified aggression by Iranian forces constitutes a clear and dangerous violation of the ceasefire and undermines freedom of navigation”. Furthermore, CENTCOM stated that “CENTCOM forces remain on alert and prepared to hold Iran accountable when the agreement is not met or complied with”.
Hours before confirming the new round of bombings, the U.S. command announced the start of the offensive with another message posted on X. In that communication, it stated: “U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of heavy strikes against Iran to impose a high cost for attacking and endangering commercial vessels crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway.”.
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According to U.S. authorities, the Iranian attacks against the vessels caused material damage, although they did not leave any casualties among the crews. Among the affected ships were a Qatar-linked gas carrier and a Saudi oil tanker.
Qatar held Tehran directly responsible for the attack on the Al Rekayyat and described the episode as an “unacceptable attack on the security of international maritime navigation, the security of global energy supply, and a grave and manifest violation of International Law.” Saudi Arabia also attributed the attack on the vessel, which was sailing under its flag, to Iran.
The Iranian attacks against the vessels caused material damage, although they did not leave any casualties among the crews (EP)
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported explosions in different parts of the south of the country. According to state television IRIB, six projectiles impacted the area of the Taheroui pier, in Sirik. In addition, it reported six explosions on Qeshm Island, seven in the city of Sirik, and other detonations in Bandar Abbas, one of the main Iranian ports. CENTCOM did not publicly identify the specific targets hit during the operation.
In parallel to the military response, Washington adopted economic measures against Tehran. The U.S. government revoked General License X, issued on June 21 by the Department of the Treasury, which authorized certain operations related to Iranian oil within the understanding reached between both countries.
In its place, the U.S. administration issued License X1, which eliminates prior authorizations and establishes an orderly wind-down process for activities that remained permitted.
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A U.S. official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, explained that the decision was in response to Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz “that were unacceptable and must have consequences.”
Both Washington and Tehran maintain that the other party breached the provisional agreement. This Tuesday’s bombings constitute the first U.S. military operation against Iranian territory since the attacks recorded late last month, which the United States also justified as a response to Iranian actions against commercial shipping.
The U.S. government revoked General License X, issued on June 21 by the Department of the Treasury, which authorized certain transactions related to Iranian oil within the understanding reached between both countries.
The ceasefire between both countries came into effect on April 8, although sporadic incidents have persisted in the Gulf since then. The International Maritime Organization noted that the recorded attacks against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz represented the highest number in a single day since the end of April.
The conflict, which began on February 28, keeps tensions high regarding the security of one of the most important maritime routes for global oil and fuel transport, while negotiations aimed at fully reopening the strait, resolving differences over the Iranian nuclear program, and reaching a definitive cessation of hostilities continue.
