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July 7, 2026 / 5:46 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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Washington — U.S. forces began launching strikes Tuesday against Iran to retaliate for the regime's attacks on commercial ships, U.S. Central Command said. The retaliatory strikes are in response to attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps over the past two days on three commercial vessels that were traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. "Iran's demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire," U.S. Central Command said in a statement posted on X. The attacks on the three tankers in the strait, which were confirmed by two U.S. officials, marked a sharp escalation that threatens to unravel the fragile diplomatic effort aimed at restoring security to one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. The Iranian attacks on the commercial shipping vessels come on the heels of Iran's drone strike on a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel last week and just after Washington and Tehran had agreed to suspend hostilities and pursue indirect negotiations over maritime security following months of military confrontation. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency issued warnings of one attack on Monday and two Tuesday without naming the vessels targeted. One of the attacks was carried out by an uncrewed aerial vehicle or drone, according to the advisories, while the other two tankers were targeted by unknown projectiles. No casualties were reported.
