US launches a series of ‘powerful’ strikes on Iran after attacks on ships in Strait of Hormuz

The United States resumed attacks against Iran on Tuesday after Tehran struck commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command announced the new attacks as the uneasy ceasefire between the two countries continues to deteriorate.

“Forces have begun to launch a series of powerful strikes against Iran to target and impose heavy costs on attacking commercial vessels crewed by innocent civilians in international waterways,” the statement said.

The US strikes were in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The aggression shown by Iran was unnecessary, dangerous and a clear violation of the ceasefire.

The British military said three tankers were hit by bullets in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday and the United States canceled a license allowing the sale of Iranian oil as part of an interim deal to end the conflict between the United States and Iran.

The new attacks on the fuel-shipping waterway were the largest in a single day since late April, according to the U.N. International Maritime Organization.

Just at a time when countries were hoping to re-establish normal maritime practices and ease the global economic burden of war, new attacks threatened to halt the flow of traffic in the strait.

Hours later, the United States revoked a 60-day license granted by the Treasury Department last month that waived sanctions on Iranian oil.

A US official said the license was canceled because Iran’s actions in the strait were unacceptable and must be met with consequences.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The UK Merchant Marine Operations center said a tanker was hit and caught fire while traveling off the coast of Oman.

Iranian state television reported that the liquefied natural gas tanker was attacked by ignoring warnings, but did not directly claim responsibility for the attack.

The UK maritime agency said two other ships also sustained some damage but no one was injured and both continued on their way.

Tehran, which has repeatedly declared that only the approved route through the strait is safe, is suspected of attacking other ships using another route close to the Omani coast.

Location details provided by the UK agency showed that all three attacks occurred off the coast of Oman or the neighboring United Arab Emirates; This suggests that the ships may have been using the route near Oman.

The United States is keen to continue negotiations with Iran to fully reopen the strait, roll back Tehran’s controversial nuclear program and permanently end the war that started on February 28. An interim agreement became strained.

Previous attacks in the Bosphorus triggered retaliatory attacks by the US-Iran, which then attacked Gulf Arab countries.

In peacetime, one-fifth of oil and gas trade passed through the canal.

The license issued by the USA allowed the production, delivery and sale of Iranian oil until August 21.

US Vice President J.D. Vance said at the time that lengthy talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland laid “a good foundation for a successful final agreement” to end the war.

US sanctions against the purchase of Iranian oil have been in effect since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

After the USA and Israel started the war and closed the strait, the USA allowed the temporary sale of Iranian oil at least twice as an incentive for the agreement.

Meanwhile, talks between Iran and the United States appear to be on hold until after the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the beginning of the war.

This is an evolving story.