WASHINGTON -- The United States launched a new round of military strikes against Iran and revoked a key sanctions waiver covering Iranian oil sales after accusing Tehran of attacking commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, putting a fragile cease-fire into peril.The twin moves mark the most serious crisis since the United States and Iran signed a 60-day memorandum of understanding (MOU) last month aimed at ending hostilities and reopening one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.
The US military said the strikes were a direct response to what it described as Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, including a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker.“The attacks were designed to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement, calling Iran's actions "unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire.”Iranian media reported multiple explosions in southern Iran, including on Qeshm Island, in the city of Sirik, and near the strategic port of Bandar Abbas. US officials did not immediately specify which targets had been struck.The military action came as President Donald Trump attended the NATO summit in Ankara, where he was set to meet fellow NATO leaders to discuss the Iran crisis, defense spending, and the alliance's security priorities.Washington Restores Economic PressureAlongside the military strikes, the US Treasury revoked its authorization for Iranian oil sales, restoring sanctions relief that had been suspended under last month's memorandum of understanding. A US official told RFE/RL the decision reflected the administration's long-standing position that any economic relief depended on Iranian compliance."As President Trump and the administration have repeatedly affirmed, the MOU in effect with Iran is entirely performance-based. Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior," the official said.“Iran's actions in the Strait were wholly unacceptable to the United States and will be met with consequences. Our negotiators continue to work in good faith towards a final deal.”
