US launches strikes against Iran in retaliation for attack on 3 tanks in Strait of Hormuz
Washington – The US military launched strikes on Tuesday against Iran in retaliation for the regime’s attacks on commercial shipping, US Central Command said.
These retaliatory strikes are related to the attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps two days ago on three commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The attack on Iran was unnecessary, dangerous, and in clear violation of the ceasefire agreement,” US Central Command said in a statement. statement posted on X.
The attack on three tankers in the strait, confirmed by two US officials, marked a major escalation that threatens to derail a fragile diplomatic effort aimed at restoring security in one of the world’s most important maritime bottlenecks.
The Iranian attack on commercial vessels comes after Iran’s strike on a Singapore-flagged vessel last week and after Washington and Tehran agreed to cease hostilities and hold informal talks on maritime security following months of military fighting.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency issued warnings of one attack on Monday and two on Tuesday without naming the target vessels.
Another attack was carried out by an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone, according to the advisory, while two other tanks were targeted by unidentified projectiles. No injuries were reported.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia said it condemned the actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in targeting the Vijian, a Saudi vessel, and the Rakiyat, a Qatari tanker.
The US on Tuesday also revoked Iran’s general license to export oil because of Iranian strikes on three vessels.
“The Office of Foreign Export Control is revoking GL X, which authorized the sale of Iranian oil,” a US official told CBS News. “As President Trump and the administration have repeatedly confirmed, the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Iran is fully operational.”
The US official added: “Iran will only benefit if it shows good behavior. Iran’s actions in the Strait were totally unacceptable to the United States and they will face consequences. The negotiators continue to work in good faith to reach a final agreement.”
Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said the US withdrawal of oil sales licenses to Iran “constitutes a clear violation of Article 10, and this country’s subsequent military action against Iran is also a serious violation of Articles 1 and 2 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.”
Gharibabadi also warned that Iran will “take drastic measures to protect its national interests” because of Israel’s actions in Lebanon and “statements” that threaten the US against Iran.
