US military strikes Iranian nuclear sites in Hormuz
The United States launched a series of airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday, according to Pentagon officials. The operation targeted uranium enrichment plants and related infrastructure, marking a significant escalation in the long-running standoff between the two nations.
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that the strikes were carried out by US Navy aircraft and cruise missiles, hitting multiple sites on Iran's southern coast. "These precision strikes were necessary to neutralize an imminent threat posed by Iran's advancing nuclear program," Kirby said in a statement. He added that the operation was limited in scope and aimed solely at nuclear facilities, not at broader military or civilian targets.
Iranian response and regional impact
Iranian state media reported explosions near the port city of Bandar Abbas, a key hub near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes as "a blatant act of aggression" and warned of severe consequences. Iran's Supreme National Security Council said it reserved the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing.
The strikes have sent oil prices soaring, with Brent crude jumping over 5% to $83 per barrel amid fears of disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes. The US Navy has increased patrols in the region to ensure freedom of navigation.
International reaction
World leaders called for restraint. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to de-escalate, while the European Union expressed deep concern over the military action. Russia and China condemned the strikes, with Moscow calling for an emergency UN Security Council meeting. The UK and France expressed support for the US action, citing Iran's failure to comply with nuclear agreements.
The airstrikes come after months of heightened tensions, including Iran's enrichment of uranium to near-weapons-grade levels and its refusal to allow IAEA inspections. The US has long warned that it would not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon.
