US Strikes Iran Over Tanker Attacks Amid Rising Tensions in Strait of Hormuz

The United States launched a series of powerful airstrikes against Iran overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM announced shortly after midnight Israeli time that over 80 targets were hit, including air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, missile launch capabilities, and more than 60 small boats of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in and around the strategic waterway. The strikes aimed to "exact a heavy price on Iran for harming vessels crewed by innocent civilians," with the US military condemning Iran's actions as "unjustified, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire."

Iran reported explosions in the port city of Sirik, Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, and Kharg Island, with damage to commercial docks, fishing boats, civilian vessels, and possibly a communications tower. Several people were injured in Sirik. Iranian authorities described the US attacks as "blatant aggression" and warned of a "crushing response" from their armed forces. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi returned from Iraq following the strikes, emphasizing Iran's commitment to stability and accusing Washington of failing to honor its commitments under the memorandum of understanding. The Iranian parliament speaker and senior officials also condemned the US actions and vowed not to back down.

The US decision to cancel oil export waivers for Iran preceded the strikes, leading to a sharp 5% rise in oil prices. The attacks followed a series of recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, where at least four commercial vessels, including Saudi, Qatari, and Marshall Islands-flagged tankers, were targeted by Iranian forces using missiles and drones. Qatar condemned the attacks on its LNG tanker as a serious threat to regional security.

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is scheduled to visit Israel today for his first trip since taking office, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. One key agenda item is to ease Israeli concerns over potential US sales of advanced F-35 jets to Turkey. Austin is currently attending a NATO summit in Turkey alongside President Donald Trump. The recent escalation comes amid stalled negotiations between the US and Iran following talks in Qatar last week, with Iran mourning the death of its former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and large public demonstrations calling for retaliation against the US and Israel.