The United States and Iran have traded attacks after three oil tankers came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz. This has raised fresh fears of a wider conflict in the Gulf.
According to BBC, US Central Command said on Tuesday that it launched powerful strikes on Iranian targets. This happened after Washington blamed Tehran for attacks on commercial vessels in the strategic waterway.
Centcom said US forces hit more than 80 targets. These included over 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats, missile launch sites and command centres.
The command said the strikes aimed to impose costs on those responsible for attacking commercial shipping in an international waterway.
It stated that the operation targeted Iranian assets used to threaten ships “crewed by innocent individuals” in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state media reported that US strikes hit Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Sirik. They also added that shrapnel injured some people in the affected areas.
Iran has not directly claimed responsibility for the tanker attacks that triggered the US response.
However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it responded by launching missiles and drones at US military sites in Bahrain. It also targeted Kuwait in the early hours of Wednesday.
The IRGC claimed it targeted “85 key US military facilities” in both countries. These included a US Navy headquarters and an air base in Kuwait.
The latest Strait of Hormuz strikes followed growing tensions between Washington and Tehran over a memorandum signed last month.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister described the US strikes as a violation of the agreement. He also warned that Tehran would “take decisive measures.”
Before the strikes, the US Treasury revoked a waiver that had temporarily lifted oil sanctions on Iran. This move was part of the memorandum.
Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the move and said it showed the “bad faith, inconsistency, and unreliability” of the US government.
The ministry added that Tehran would take any steps it considered necessary to protect its national security and interests.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia also condemned the tanker attacks and blamed Iran, after vessels linked to both countries came under fire near the strait.
Qatar said a tanker named Al-Rekayyat faced an apparent targeted attack. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said Iran targeted the Saudi tanker Wadyan as it crossed the waterway.
Iran rejected Qatar’s accusation, with foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei describing it as contrary to good neighbourliness.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations said one tanker reported a fire after an unknown projectile hit its engine room on Monday. Two more tankers later reported damage while moving through or near the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz strikes have now placed renewed pressure on diplomatic talks between the US and Iran. Even so, officials say negotiators will continue efforts toward a final agreement.
