The US military has initiated a series of forceful strikes against Iranian targets following the recent attacks on three merchant vessels in the waters near Oman.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes are intended to exact a heavy toll for the targeting and assault on commercial ships manned by innocent civilians in international waters. The incidents involved three tankers being hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center. These assaults mark the highest number of attacks in a single day since late April, as per the UN International Maritime Organization.
CENTCOM condemned Iran’s aggression towards the merchant ships, labeling it as unjustified, perilous, and a clear breach of the ceasefire agreement. In response to the attacks, the US canceled the 60-day license issued by the Treasury Department last month that waived sanctions on Iranian oil.
A US official, speaking to The Associated Press, stated that the license revocation was a direct result of Iran’s unacceptable actions in the strait, emphasizing the need for repercussions. The Iranian mission to the United Nations has not yet issued any comments in response to the events.
Regarding the attacks on the merchant ships, one tanker was struck and set ablaze while sailing off the coast of Oman. Iranian state television mentioned that the liquefied natural gas tanker was targeted after purportedly disregarding warnings, although they did not explicitly claim responsibility for the attack.
The other two vessels also faced attacks near the coast of Oman or the adjacent United Arab Emirates, as confirmed by location data from UKMTO. While both ships sustained some damage, there were no reported injuries, and they were able to continue their voyages without major disruptions.