The US military hit approximately ten Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz on June 27-28, marking one of the most significant direct confrontations between the two countries in recent memory.
US Central Command released footage showing Navy and Air Force jets conducting precision strikes against Iranian surveillance systems, communication infrastructure, air defense installations, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities. Six US aircraft were involved in the operation, according to CENTCOM.
The trigger: Iran launched a drone attack on the M/T Kiku, a Panamanian-flagged oil tanker carrying Qatari crude oil through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly a fifth of the world’s daily oil consumption.
What happened and why it matters
The M/T Kiku attack fits into a broader pattern of freight-related hostilities in the region. Both the US and Iran have traded accusations of ceasefire violations, with previous incidents including strikes on other commercial vessels like the M/V Ever Lovely.
