“The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said.By United with Israel StaffThe United States launched a series of military strikes against Iran on Tuesday after Tehran targeted commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation in tensions just days after the two sides agreed to a temporary pause in hostilities.In a statement, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces had begun “a series of powerful strikes” designed to impose “heavy costs” on Iran for attacking innocent civilian shipping in international waters.“The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said. “Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire.”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…— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 7, 2026 The military action follows overnight attacks in which Iran reportedly fired missiles at commercial ships passing through the strategic waterway. According to Axios, citing two U.S. officials, Iran launched at least two missiles toward commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.Reuters later reported that a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker suffered significant damage after being struck while sailing through the Omani side of the strait. A Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker was also damaged near the coast of Oman, according to maritime security sources.Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker was hit by an “unknown projectile” east of Limah, Oman, causing a fire but no reported casualties.Iranian state-run media reported that one of the targeted tankers was using the Omani sea route with U.S. support and was struck after “ignoring repeated warnings.”The attacks ended a temporary U.S.-Iran understanding reached last week following a weekend of military exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz. Under the agreement, both sides agreed to halt further strikes to allow commercial shipping to move freely through the strategic waterway while negotiations continued.Earlier Tuesday, the Trump administration also reinstated sanctions on Iranian oil, ending temporary sanctions relief that had been granted under the ceasefire arrangement.A U.S. official said the sanctions relief had always been contingent on Iran’s conduct.“As President Trump and the administration have repeatedly affirmed, the memorandum of understanding with Iran is entirely performance-based. Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior,” the official said.“Iran’s actions in the Strait were wholly unacceptable to the United States and will be met with consequences. Our negotiators continue to work in good faith toward a final deal.”The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments. Any disruption to commercial traffic through the narrow waterway has the potential to significantly impact global energy markets and regional security.The post US launches strikes on Iran after attacks on commercial shipping appeared first on World Israel News.