The United States carried out a new wave of military strikes against Iran late Tuesday, targeting more than 80 sites in retaliation for what Washington said were recent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation targeted Iranian air defence systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities and more than 60 boats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The military said the strikes were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping through the strategic waterway.
Iranian state media reported explosions in several areas of southern Iran early Wednesday. CENTCOM said US forces remain prepared to respond if the ceasefire agreement is violated.
The escalation came after Qatar summoned Iran’s deputy ambassador to protest what it described as an Iranian attack on the Qatari-owned vessel Al Rekayyat near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran rejected the accusation, insisting it remains committed to safe navigation in the region. Iranian state media, however, claimed the vessel had ignored repeated warnings while attempting to transit the strait with US naval support.