The United States on Tuesday launched “powerful" military strikes against Iran after three commercial ships were struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran carried out retaliatory strikes on the US Navy warships in the Sea of Oman.
US Central Command, in a statement, said the “powerful" strikes were carried out in response to Iranian attacks on ships passing through the waterway and would “impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping."
“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 commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire," it said in the statement.
Explosions were reported across multiple locations in southern Iran early Wednesday, with Iranian media saying blasts rocked the country’s key oil export hub on Kharg Island, as well as Qeshm Island and the port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas.
Iranian state television said no civilian fatalities had been reported, though several people were injured after an “enemy projectile" struck a commercial pier in Sirik. The broadcaster added that fishing piers in Sirik and Bandar Abbas were also hit, setting several fishing boats on fire.
State-run Press TV reported multiple explosions on Kharg Island, which handles around 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports.
Iran’s IRIB state broadcaster reported that several people were wounded after being hit by shrapnel from an “enemy projectile", which hit a commercial dock in the southern port of Sirik. It stated that the wounded were taken to the Minab Hospital.
Meanwhile, a US official told Reuters that the strikes were aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities, targeting air defence systems, coastal surveillance infrastructure, surface-to-air missile batteries, anti-ship cruise missiles and drone launch sites.
The US strikes were carried out amid the 7-day funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran launched retaliatory strikes and fired at least two anti-ship cruise missiles and various drones at US Navy warships in the Sea of Oman in response to US strikes, according to Fars news agency.
Earlier, Iran’s foreign ministry critcised the US for repeatedly violating the memorandum of understanding, which was signed between the two countries and threatened retaliation.
“Iran is issuing a serious warning about the consequences of America’s breach of the treaty, and will take decisive measures to protect its interests and national security," the ministry said in a statement.
According to a report published in Axios, US President Donald Trump had approved the Iran strike plan and gave the orders on Tuesday during his visit to Turkey for the NATO Summit.
According to a US official, President Donald Trump convened a high-level meeting in Ankara with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who travelled with him aboard Air Force One. The meeting was also attended by General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was already in Turkey for the NATO summit, along with other senior administration officials.
The British maritime security agency UKMTO said an “unknown projectile" struck an oil tanker overnight, triggering a fire, before two other commercial vessels were also hit, with at least one reportedly targeted by a drone.
The incidents occurred near the coast of Oman, where Muscat had proposed a temporary shipping corridor along its territorial waters to safeguard maritime traffic. Iran has opposed the plan, arguing that vessels transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz should instead pay transit fees.
Qatar identified one of the damaged vessels as its liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, Al-Rekayyat, and accused Iran of carrying out the attack, describing it as an “unacceptable" assault on international maritime navigation.
Doha later summoned Iran’s deputy ambassador to formally protest the incident, seeking an explanation and urging Tehran to “immediately cease any practices undermining regional security."
“We hold Iran fully legally responsible for this attack and for any resulting damages or repercussions," Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari wrote on X.
Iran rejected the allegations, with state news agency IRNA reporting that Tehran expressed “dismay" over Qatar’s accusations and described the claims as “unacceptable."
Oil prices climbed sharply after the US strikes on Iran, raising fears of renewed disruption to global energy supplies.
Global benchmark Brent crude rose 2.8% to trade above $76 a barrel, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced past $72 a barrel.
The latest escalation has further strained the fragile ceasefire reached between Washington and Tehran last month, which had temporarily halted hostilities following months of conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
In another setback to the truce, the Trump administration on Tuesday revoked a key sanctions waiver that had enabled Iran to continue exporting oil to international buyers, increasing pressure on Tehran’s economy.
