The United States has launched a series of powerful airstrikes against Iran in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), these strikes aim to impose heavy costs on Iran for targeting commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway.

Iranian officials confirmed that Iran targeted the vessels on Monday night. The attacks followed a period of limited exchanges despite ongoing peace talks and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last month by delegations from both the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending the conflict.

Iran's deputy foreign minister, in a statement published by the FARS news agency, condemned the U.S. strikes as a serious violation of the MOU. He warned that "Iran will take decisive measures to protect its national interests and security, while issuing a serious warning about the consequences of America's breach of the treaty."

Iranian officials also criticized the U.S. government's decision to revoke a license authorizing the sale of Iranian oil, a key aspect of the MOU, following Iran's reported missile strikes on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the escalation, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Iran remains committed to ensuring security and providing maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz. He called on regional countries and shipping companies to refrain from actions contrary to the ceasefire agreement.

Earlier this year, on February 28, President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran, including massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government, and infrastructure sites.

Sources