US Conducts Strikes on Iran Following Attacks on Commercial Vessels
The United States has initiated a series of military strikes against Iran in retaliation for attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (Centcom) announced that the operation commenced on Wednesday, aiming "to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent individuals in an international waterway".
The tankers sustained damage within a 24-hour period on Monday and Tuesday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Earlier on Tuesday, a US official stated that Iran would face consequences and described the attacks as "wholly unacceptable".
Iran has not claimed responsibility for the strikes on the tankers.
Centcom released a statement on X, asserting that the US strikes were "in response to Iranian attacks".
"Iran's demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire,"
the statement added.
Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia have condemned the attacks, with each country reporting that one of their tankers was hit while transiting in or near the Strait of Hormuz.
On Tuesday, the US revoked a sanctions waiver that had temporarily lifted oil sanctions on Iran.
This is a developing story, and additional details will be published as they become available. Please refresh the page for the most current information.
Breaking news updates can be received on smartphones or tablets via the App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X for the latest alerts.
