The United States has carried out “powerful” military strikes on Iran after a series of attacks targeted three oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil supplies.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces struck more than 80 targets linked to Iran on Tuesday, 7th July. The targets reportedly included over 60 small boats belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with missile launch sites and command centres.
The US military said the operation was aimed at sending a strong message after the attacks on commercial ships in international waters.
“Our actions are intended to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent individuals in an international waterway,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway. The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 7, 2026
Iran calls strikes a violation of the recent agreement
Iran strongly condemned the American strikes, calling them a violation of the MoU signed between Washington and Tehran last month.
Iran‘s deputy foreign minister accused the US of breaking its commitments and warned that Tehran would respond. “The United States has violated the agreement reached last month, and Iran will take decisive measures to protect its interests and security,” he said.
Major MOU Violations by the US:
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) July 8, 2026
Violating Iranian adjustments in the Strait
Persistent threats of further strikes
Reinstating oil sanctions
Attacks on southern Iran
Continued Zionist aggression on🇱🇧
The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don’t fold.
Iranian state media reported that the strikes hit areas including Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Sirik. Several people were reportedly injured by flying debris and shrapnel.
BREAKING: Major US airstrikes carried out on Shahid Haqani Port in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran. pic.twitter.com/U4bXYqGJtI
— The Hormuz Letter (@HormuzLetter) July 7, 2026
Although Iran has denied direct involvement in the tanker attacks, it has not formally claimed responsibility for the incidents that triggered the US response.
Tensions rise around tanker attacks
The United States had earlier warned that there would be consequences for what it called the “wholly unacceptable” attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Before carrying out the strikes, Washington also cancelled a waiver that had temporarily eased some oil sanctions on Iran under the agreement signed between the two countries last month.
Iran’s foreign ministry described the move as proof of America’s “bad faith, inconsistency and unreliability.” The ministry said Iran “will take whatever measures it considers necessary to safeguard its national interests and national security.”
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that one tanker suffered a fire in its engine room after being struck by an unidentified projectile earlier this week.
Two other tankers also reported damage while travelling through the strait, although both vessels were able to continue their journeys.
Despite the latest military escalation, American officials said diplomatic talks with Iran would continue.
