SRINAGAR: The United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran early Wednesday after accusing Tehran of attacking three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating tensions despite a fragile ceasefire aimed at ending weeks of conflict.
The strikes targeted Iranian air defence systems, radar installations and dozens of fast attack boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. Washington described the operation as retaliation for what it called “unwarranted and dangerous” Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
At the same time, the US Treasury revoked a temporary licence that had allowed Iran to openly export crude oil under an interim ceasefire arrangement, effectively restoring sanctions on Iranian oil sales.
Iran responded by launching missile strikes targeting US military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to the IRGC. Both Gulf states activated air raid sirens, although there were no immediate reports of casualties.
The latest exchange has raised fresh concerns that the already fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran could collapse, threatening renewed conflict across the Middle East.
According to US officials, three commercial vessels came under attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. One tanker caught fire after being struck off the coast of Oman, while two others sustained limited damage but continued their voyages.
CENTCOM said its strikes were intended “to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway.”
The US military said more than 80 Iranian targets were struck, including coastal military facilities in southern Iran.
Explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island and Sirik, with Iranian state media confirming multiple blasts but providing no details on casualties or damage.
Iran denounced both the military strikes and Washington’s decision to reimpose oil sanctions.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said revoking the sanctions waiver violated the Islamabad memorandum that had laid the foundation for the ceasefire agreement. It warned that Tehran would “take any measure it seems necessary” to protect its national interests and security.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf wrote on social media that “the era of bullying and extortion is over,” adding that Iran would not yield to pressure.
Iran also accused Washington of violating the ceasefire by attacking coastal military and civilian facilities.
The attacks have alarmed Gulf Arab states, several of which host major US military bases.
Saudi Arabia condemned what it described as Iranian attacks on the Saudi tanker Wednyan and the Qatari vessel Al Rekayyat, calling them assaults on international navigation and global energy security.
The United Arab Emirates also criticised Tehran’s actions.
Senior UAE diplomat Anwar Gargash said the attacks demonstrated Iran’s inability to commit to de-escalation, warning that Gulf states could not remain targets of repeated military escalation.
Qatar described the attack on its tanker as “unacceptable” and held Iran legally responsible.
The US decision to revoke Iran’s temporary licence to sell crude oil marks a major economic escalation.
The licence, granted under the interim ceasefire arrangement, had allowed Tehran to conduct oil exports openly for US dollars for the first time in years. Washington has long accused Iran of circumventing sanctions by selling discounted crude, particularly to China.
The restoration of sanctions is expected to increase pressure on Iran’s already struggling economy while adding uncertainty to global energy markets.
Speaking ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended Washington’s military response.
“When you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire, I think it is totally crucial that the US forcefully react,” he told reporters.
Rutte described the new American strikes as “absolutely necessary” while reaffirming NATO’s commitment to collective security.
The renewed violence came during funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening phase of the recent war.
Services were held Wednesday in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf before Khamenei’s body is scheduled to be buried Thursday in Mashhad, his birthplace.
Negotiations aimed at transforming the temporary ceasefire into a lasting agreement had been expected to begin after the funeral. Those talks were to address reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the future of Iran’s disputed nuclear programme.
The latest military exchanges, however, have cast serious doubt over the prospects for those negotiations while increasing fears of another regional escalation.
