The United States has launched new military strikes against Iran following a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation, stating it was intended 'to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent individuals in an international waterway.'
Multiple tankers targeted in the Strait
The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that several oil tankers were attacked on July 6 and July 7. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the assaults. In a statement, CENTCOM declared: 'Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire.'
Sanctions reinstated after attacks
The strikes came hours after the US announced it would reinstate sanctions on Iran in response to the ship attacks. The escalation follows a period of tension after the US and Iran exchanged fire in late June, shortly after President Donald Trump signed a peace agreement with Iran. CENTCOM said it had hit multiple targets across Iran, adding: 'Iran was given a chance to honour the ceasefire agreement but elected not to when its forces launched a one-way attack drone that hit MT Kiku, a Panama-flagged tanker.'
Trump warns Iran's existence at stake
President Trump warned that 'the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist' if it continues to violate the peace agreement. Iran, in turn, accused the US of breaching the ceasefire by not preventing ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon, a condition of the peace deal. On June 20, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz 'closed' again, demanding ships seek permission to use the waterway and raising the possibility of future transit fees. It remains unclear whether these demands were linked to the recent attacks on vessels.
