US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Wednesday morning that its forces launched a series of powerful strikes against Iran.
The official statement was published minutes after Iran reported intense explosions in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and the port city of Sirik.
CENTCOM said the purpose of the strikes was "to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway."
It added, "The US strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire."
A US official quoted by Axios said the targets included Iranian air defense systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missile sites, drone launch sites and port facilities.
A US official told CNN that the US military strikes in Iran are “not proportional", adding, “This is punishment. It won’t be over for a bit."
In a later statement, CENTCOM said that over 80 targets were hit with precision munitions “as an immediate response to Iran's latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz."
“US forces struck Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats in and near the strait to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking international commerce flowing through the international trade corridor," the statement said.
“Iran recently attacked three commercial vessels transiting the strait including Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan, and Liberian-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity. The unwarranted aggression by Iranian forces is a clear and dangerous violation of the ceasefire and undermines freedom of navigation," it said.
“CENTCOM forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable when the agreement is not adhered to or obeyed."
Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the United States of a blatant violation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two nations.
Tehran issued a direct threat toward Washington, stating that it "seriously warns against the consequences of the American violation of the agreement." The Iranian Foreign Ministry further emphasized that the Islamic Republic will not hesitate to take "decisive measures" to protect its strategic interests and national security in the region.
Iranian media outlets later reported a series of explosions heard in Bahrain, including near the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet stationed in the country, as well as in the vicinity of the Shaikh Isa Air Base.
A US official confirmed the details of the incident in a conversation with Axios, stating that the Iranian military launched unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) at targets within Bahraini territory.
The US strikes followed the Iranian attacks on three commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday morning.
The ships were hit and suffered significant damage, but no casualties were reported.
Iran later officially confirmed that its forces attacked at least one liquefied natural gas tanker.
One of the vessels hit by the Iranian missiles was a gas tanker owned by Qatar. After the hit, Qatar summoned the Iranian ambassador for a reprimand meeting.
Following the strikes, the United States decided to revoke the general license authorizing the sale of Iranian oil after several Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior administration official called Iran's actions in the Strait "wholly unacceptable" and said they will be met with consequences.
The official reiterated, "As President Trump and the administration have repeatedly affirmed, the MOU in effect with Iran is entirely performance-based. Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior."