Us Resumes Strikes On Iran After Reinstating Oil Sanctions Over Shipping Attacks

The United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran early Wednesday, targeting more than 80 military sites after three commercial vessels were struck in and around the Strait of Hormuz, marking the sharpest escalation since the two sides agreed to a fragile ceasefire last month.The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces carried out the strikes to impose heavy costs on Iran for attacking commercial shipping, accusing Tehran of violating the ceasefire. Iran's demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire, CENTCOM said in a post on X.A U.S. official told Reuters the strikes hit Iranian air defence systems, coastal surveillance assets, surface-to-air missile batteries, anti-ship cruise missile launchers and drone launch sites. In a later update, CENTCOM said the operation struck more than 80 targets across Iran.Iranian state media reported multiple explosions across southern Iran shortly after the strikes. IRIB said six explosions were heard on Qeshm Island, seven in the coastal city of Sirik and additional blasts in the major port city of Bandar Abbas.Iran warns of retaliation after blastsIran's foreign ministry accused Washington of repeatedly violating the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict and warned it would respond to the latest military action. 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 carried by IRIB.State media said several people were injured after an enemy projectile struck a commercial pier in Sirik, while fishing piers and several boats in Sirik and Bandar Abbas were also damaged.Washington revokes oil licence; crude prices jumpHours before the strikes, Washington revoked a general licence that had allowed Iran to sell crude oil and petroleum products under the interim ceasefire arrangement.The licence, issued by the U.S. Treasury on June 22, had permitted sales through August 21. The revocation gives Iran until July 17 to wind down existing transactions.Oil prices climbed more than 3% after the announcement, reflecting concerns over renewed supply disruptions from the region.Iran condemned the move as another violation of the interim agreement and said the United States would bear responsibility for the consequences.Three vessels attacked near Strait of HormuzThe latest escalation followed attacks on three commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz.According to the British maritime security agency UKMTO, an unknown projectile struck one tanker overnight, sparking a fire, before two more vessels were hit, with at least one reportedly struck by a drone. All three incidents occurred near Oman.Qatar accused Iran of attacking the Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker Al Rekayyat, whose engine room caught fire before the crew was safely evacuated.A Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker believed to be the Wedyan was also damaged off the Omani coast, according to maritime security sources.A second U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial assessments indicated Iran had fired at all three commercial vessels.Qatar summoned Iran's deputy ambassador and lodged a formal protest over the attack.Iran rejected the allegations, describing Qatar's accusations as perplexing . Tehran maintained it remained committed to the ceasefire but argued commercial vessels faced risks if they used routes not coordinated with Iranian authorities.Oman had proposed a temporary shipping corridor hugging its coastline to improve maritime safety, but Iran has opposed the plan as it seeks to impose transit fees on vessels using the Strait of Hormuz.Ceasefire under growing strainThe attacks further undermine the ceasefire brokered last month after months of fighting that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.While U.S. officials said negotiations towards a permanent agreement were continuing in good faith, analysts say Iran continues to use threats to commercial shipping as leverage in talks, given its strategic position along the Strait of Hormuz.The ceasefire was intended to create a 60-day window for negotiations, but indirect talks in Qatar ended last week without any breakthrough.U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that military action would resume if diplomacy failed. We're either going to make a deal or we're going to finish the job, Trump said on Monday.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded that negotiations on a final agreement could not proceed while Washington continued issuing military threats.Qatar blames Iran for tanker attackQatar on Tuesday condemned the attack on its tanker Al Rekayyat near the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an unacceptable assault on international navigation and global energy security.Foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari described the incident as a clear violation of international law and urged Iran to immediately halt actions that threaten regional security and maritime navigation. He said Tehran bore full legal responsibility for the attack and any resulting damage or consequences.(With inputs from Agencies)