US launches fresh strikes on Iran after tanker attacks in Strait of Hormuz

The United States launched a new round of military strikes against Iran on Tuesday night after three tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, raising pressure on a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

The strikes came as the US also revoked a licence that had allowed Iran to sell crude oil, petrochemical and petroleum products under an interim agreement.

US Central Command said the strikes were aimed at imposing costs on Iran.

“Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire,” CENTCOM said on X.

A US official said the strikes targeted Iranian air defence systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles and drone launch sites.

Iranian media reported explosions early Wednesday local time on Kharg Island, Qeshm Island, Sirik and Bandar Abbas.

Iranian state TV reported that several people were injured by shrapnel after an “enemy projectile” hit a commercial pier in Sirik. No civilian deaths were reported.

The reports said strikes also hit fishing piers in Sirik and Bandar Abbas, where several fishing boats caught fire.

Iran’s Press TV said several blasts were heard on Kharg Island in southern Iran, but gave no details on the cause, damage or casualties. There was no confirmation from the US military on strikes against Kharg Island.

Kharg Island handles about 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports and was last attacked by the US in April.

The latest escalation followed attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

Qatar blamed Iran for attacking the vessels, including the Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker Al Rekayyat, which it said was hit overnight by a drone. The strike caused a fire in the tanker’s engine room, while the crew were reported safe and was being evacuated.

Qatar’s foreign ministry said it summoned Iran’s deputy ambassador and handed over a protest note.

A Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker, believed to be the supertanker Wedyan, was also damaged off Oman, according to maritime security sources. The cause of the damage was not immediately clear.

A second US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial indications showed that Iran had fired at three commercial vessels.

Iran’s foreign ministry rejected Qatar’s accusations as perplexing and said Tehran was fulfilling its commitments. It said commercial vessels faced risks when using routes not coordinated with Iran.

The incidents have put further strain on the ceasefire agreement reached last month between the US and Iran, which paused a conflict that began in February with US and Israeli strikes across Iran.

In a major reversal of a key concession under the interim arrangement, Washington revoked the US Treasury’s June 22 general licence that allowed the sale of crude oil, petrochemical and petroleum products of Iranian origin until August 21.

The US gave Iran until July 17 to wind down related transactions.

Oil prices rose more than 3% after Washington announced the move.

Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the revocation as a breach of the framework agreement to end the war and said Washington would be responsible for the consequences.

The ministry said Iran would take any measure it considered necessary to protect its national security and interests.

A US official said negotiators were still working in good faith towards a final agreement with Iran.

However, control over the Strait of Hormuz has given Tehran significant leverage in negotiations. Analysts say Iran uses attacks on shipping to demonstrate that leverage while talks continue over a long-term peace deal with the US.

Iran’s leadership has also been using public mourning for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to show political control after he was killed on the first day of the war along with his daughter, granddaughter, son-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Large crowds gathered in Qom on Tuesday as the caskets of Khamenei and members of his family were driven through the seminary city.

Iranian state media later showed footage it said was of an aircraft carrying Khamenei’s coffin at the airport in Najaf, Iraq.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who had travelled to Iraq for the funeral ceremonies, returned to Iran after the US strikes on southern Iran, state television reported.

The ceasefire was meant to create a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent agreement, but indirect talks in Qatar ended last week without visible progress.

US President Donald Trump had warned on Monday that Washington could resume military action if no deal was reached.

“We’re either going to make a deal or we’re going to finish the job,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said negotiations on a final deal would “not commence if threats continue” under the terms of the interim ceasefire memorandum.