The United States launched a series of powerful strikes on Iran on July 7, 2026, following attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command (Centcom) stated the assault aimed "to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent individuals in an international waterway."
Iranian state media reported that the strikes hit Qeshm island, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik, causing injuries from shrapnel but no reported deaths. Iran's deputy foreign minister condemned the US attacks as a violation of the US-Iran memorandum signed the previous month and warned that Tehran would "take decisive measures" in response.
Centcom described Iran's actions as "unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire," emphasizing that the US strikes were "in response to Iranian attacks."
Prior to the military action, the US Treasury revoked a waiver that had temporarily lifted oil sanctions on Iran. Additionally, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari held Iran "fully responsible" for a targeted attack on a vessel named Al-Rekayyat near the strait.
In two separate incidents on the same day, one tanker reported being hit while exiting the strait but continued to its next port, and another sustained minor structural damage after being struck.
The US had previously warned that there would be consequences for what it described as "wholly unacceptable" attacks on the tankers.
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