US strikes Iran after attack on commercial ships
Strait of Hormuz (Photo: Getty Images)
The US has reported a series of airstrikes on Iranian military facilities. The operation was a response to Tehran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which America considers a violation of the ceasefire regime, according to a post by CENTCOM and Axios.
US announced the start of a military operation
US Central Command reported that American forces have begun conducting a series of powerful strikes on Iranian territory.
The statement emphasizes that the operation is aimed at inflicting significant damage on facilities linked to attacks on civilian commercial vessels in international waters.
CENTCOM noted that the reason for the military operation was three attacks by Iran on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
"U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway," the statement said.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the series of US strikes on Iranian military facilities was a response to Tehran's attacks on three commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The command stated that Iran's actions were unjustified, posed a security threat, and were a violation of the ceasefire regime.
Explosions were reported in Iranian ports before the strikes
Shortly before the official announcement from the US side, the media reported a series of explosions in southern Iran. According to the reports, they were heard near the port of Sirik.
Later, Iranian state media also reported explosions in the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik, as well as on Qeshm Island.
Axios disclosed the targets of the US strikes
Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing a US official, reported that airstrikes were carried out on a number of military facilities in the area of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the source, targets included air defense systems, coastal surveillance complexes, surface-to-air missile systems, anti-ship cruise missile positions, drone launch sites, and port infrastructure.
The source also claims that the current US operation is four to five times larger in scale than the strikes carried out in the Strait of Hormuz ten days ago.
US said the operation is ongoing
As Axios notes, the exchange of strikes poses a risk of a new round of escalation between Washington and Tehran and threatens the memorandum of understanding signed less than three weeks ago, mediated by President Donald Trump.
According to the publication, on the eve of the strikes, the US also canceled sanctions exemptions that allowed Iran to export oil, after which Tehran accused Washington of violating the memorandum's terms.
Meanwhile, CNN, citing a US official, reports that the US military operation has not yet been completed. According to him, the strikes will continue for some time, and Washington's response will not be proportionate - its goal is to punish Iran.
Earlier, the US canceled the sanctions exemption that allowed Iran to export oil. The decision came after incidents with commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and is expected to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
