U.S. Strikes Iranian Targets Near Strait of Hormuz After Shipping Attacks
U.S. Launches Strikes on Iranian Targets
The U.S. military hit targets in Iran on Tuesday after it said Tehran tried to attack commercial ships and American forces in the Middle East. [1] The strikes, along with others conducted on Sunday, ended a month without military action. [1] Iranian state TV reported the sound of explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Tuesday. [1] More than 5 explosions were heard near Masan village on Qeshm Island, and 4 near the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from IRIB. [3] U.S. Central Command announced that it began a wave of strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran on Tuesday. [5] The U.S. military said Tuesday’s strikes were a reaction to attempted attacks on ships in the strait and American forces in the region. [1]
Reason for the Renewed Attacks
U.S. Central Command stated Tuesday that the strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American troops in the region. [2] Central Command reiterated that its attacks followed Iranian aggression against commercial vessels and American troops in the region. [1] The U.S. strikes on Sunday were narrowly focused on preventing Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard forces from placing new mines in the Strait of Hormuz. [1] U.S. Central Command said in a statement that U.S. forces took limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz. [1] In essence, Iran created the threat and the U.S. military eliminated it to protect civilian mariners, commercial shipping, and the free flow of global commerce, according to the statement. [1]
Sunday’s Initial Strikes and Iranian Response
On Sunday, the U.S. launched its first strikes against Iran in weeks, targeting two launchers on Larak Island after IRGC forces were identified as preparing the launchers to fire towards the Strait of Hormuz. [5] U.S. Central Command said Sunday that its forces struck rocket launchers that would sea mines into the strait. [1] In response, Iran launched a number of missiles towards U.S. troops and military assets stationed in Jordan. [5] Iran responded to Sunday’s attacks by launching missiles at U.S. sites in Jordan, which were intercepted. [1] Trump on Monday confirmed that all but one of the missiles were intercepted by U.S. air defense systems and that nothing of importance was hit during the attack. [5] The United Arab Emirates said it stopped an Iranian drone over its waters. [1]
Trump’s Warning to Iran
President Donald Trump posted on social media that if the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings. [1] Trump warned on social media after U.S. Central Command announced the latest strikes. [1] Trump threatened Iran that, should it respond to the very justified attack, it will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran. [5] The United States is, as we speak, striking Iranian Targets near the Strait of Hormuz, Trump wrote. [5] The strikes are large and powerful, and in retaliation for the Iranians’ failed attempt at adding sea mines to the Strait, which currently has no mines, and the Iranians shooting eight missiles, all successfully knocked down, at our Military Base in Jordan, according to the post. [5] President Donald Trump acknowledged Monday that more strikes might be necessary. [1]
Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. and Iran are both seeking control over the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway off Iran’s coast through which 20% of the world’s oil normally flows. [1] Tehran’s effectively closed it after the war began. [1] The renewed fighting comes after President Donald Trump appeared to pivot last month toward trying to bend Iran to his will through economic sanctions. [1] The Trump administration has argued that striking the right economic target would get Tehran to its breaking point. [1] A return to open conflict would be dangerous for the region, where Iran has targeted U.S. military bases and infrastructure in Gulf countries since the war began. [1] The American military in recent days has cast the renewed fighting as limited, though Trump had acknowledged Monday that more strikes might be necessary. [1]
Iran’s Vow of a Major Counterstrike
Iran will respond to the US' newest wave of strikes with an attack several times larger, the semi-official Tasnim news outlet reported on Tuesday night, citing a senior Iranian military source. [5] In a statement shared by Tasnim, the General Staff of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that it would deliver crushing and devastating blows to the despicable and malevolent American enemy. [5] The more the terrorist US military persists in its malign activities in the region, the heavier the losses it will be forced to bear, the statement said. [5] We have repeatedly declared, and are resolved, that under no circumstances will we yield on the rights of the heroic Iranian nation, and we will impose a heavy cost on the American enemy, it stated. [5] Iran’s military headquarters vowed to respond with an attack several times larger and deliver crushing blows to the U.S. [5]
What to watch next: The American military has cast the renewed fighting as limited, though President Donald Trump acknowledged Monday that more strikes might be necessary. [1]
