US and Iran Exchange Strikes Following Tanker Attacks in Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Iran have exchanged military strikes in a sharp escalation of tensions in the Gulf region following attacks on oil tankers transiting the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Central Command CENTCOM announced on Tuesday that it had carried out what it described as “powerful” strikes against more than 80 targets in Iran. Washington said the operation was launched in response to attacks on three commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which it condemned as “wholly unacceptable.”

According to CENTCOM, the strikes targeted Iranian missile launch sites, command centres and dozens of small vessels allegedly linked to the attacks on commercial shipping. The U.S. military said the operation was intended to impose “heavy costs” on those responsible for targeting civilian maritime traffic in international waters.

Iran has denied direct responsibility for the tanker attacks but responded on Wednesday with missile and drone strikes against U.S. military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had targeted 85 key American military facilities, including a U.S. Navy headquarters in Bahrain and an air base in Kuwait.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of violating the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries last month. He cited continued threats of military action, the reimposition of oil sanctions and attacks on Iranian territory as evidence of U.S. non-compliance.

“The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We do not fold,” Ghalibaf said.

Iranian state media reported that U.S. strikes hit locations on Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Sirik, causing injuries from flying debris. Meanwhile, Kuwait condemned the Iranian attacks on its territory, describing them as repeated violations of its sovereignty.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte defended the U.S. military action while attending a NATO summit in Ankara.

“I think it was absolutely necessary,” Rutte said, arguing that attacks on commercial vessels constituted a violation of the ceasefire framework established between Washington and Tehran.

The latest hostilities come amid growing disputes over the implementation of a 14-point memorandum agreed by the two countries last month, which was intended to extend a ceasefire and reduce regional tensions.

Prior to the strikes, the U.S. Treasury revoked a waiver that had temporarily eased oil sanctions on Iran. Tehran condemned the move as a breach of the agreement and accused Washington of acting in bad faith.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the decision demonstrated the “inconsistency and unreliability” of the U.S. government and warned that Tehran would take whatever measures it deemed necessary to protect its national interests and security.

Regional tensions have also drawn in neighbouring Gulf states. Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia accused Iran of targeting tankers linked to their countries while passing through or near the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar said Iran bore full responsibility for an apparent attack on the vessel Al-Rekayyat, while Saudi Arabia alleged that its tanker Wadyan had also been targeted. Tehran rejected the accusations, describing them as contrary to the principles of good neighbourly relations.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations UKMTO agency reported several incidents involving commercial vessels in the area, including one tanker that caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile and others that sustained damage while transiting the strait.

Despite the latest escalation, U.S. officials indicated that diplomatic efforts remain ongoing. Washington has reiterated its commitment to pursuing a long-term agreement with Tehran, while negotiations continue over the future administration and security arrangements of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes.

The exchange of strikes marks the most serious confrontation between the United States and Iran since the signing of last month’s memorandum and raises fresh concerns about the stability of the Gulf region and the security of global energy supplies.