US military conducts retaliatory strikes on Iran after tankers targeted in Strait of Hormuz
US strikes hit ‘over 80’ Iranian targets, with Iran responding, striking US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait
The US has conducted a series of strikes on Iran after ships were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte describing the military action as "absolutely necessary".
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The latest wave of US attacks, which began at 10pm GMT, come after a license allowing Tehran to sell oil was revoked, after three tankers were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command said in a post on X on Tuesday, adding that the strikes were in response to what it said were Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The exchange of fire has put fresh pressure on an already fragile ceasefire with Tehran.
Following the strikes, Iran's chief negotiator accused the US of a "major" violation of the peace deal.
Read more: Donald Trump says US could pull troops from Europe as he slams Nato over Greenland dispute
Described as "powerful" strikes targeting sites in the south of Iran, the latest assault comes as Donald Trump arrived in Turkey for the Nato summit.
Explosions were reported in the port city of Sirik, Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas, but media provided no immediate details on the cause of the blasts or any casualties or damage.
Overnight, US forces claimed they launched “over 80” strikes on Iranian targets in response to Iran’s targeting of tankers, with the strategic waterway remaining a flashpoint in the fragile truce.
"When you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire, I think it is totally crucial that the U.S. forcefully react," Rutte told reporters before a summit of NATO leaders in Ankara.
As part of the summit, European leaders will aim to convince Donald Trump to re-commit to the military alliance.
It comes after the U.S. president revived his disputes with them over the Iran war and Greenland.
In a statement on X early on Wednesday, the American military said: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed a new round of offensive strikes against Iran, July 7, hitting over 80 targets with precision munitions as an immediate response to Iran’s latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
“U.S. 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 IRGC said it had responded with retaliatory attacks on US military sites across Bahrain and Kuwait during the early hours of Wednesday morning.
“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.”
A statement by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirming strikes on military sites in their neighbouring countries said the “child-killing and terrorist U.S. army” had “openly violated the ceasefire” with attacks on coastal bases and civilian stations.