The United States launched a sweeping wave of military strikes against Iranian military targets early Wednesday after three commercial vessels were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, dramatically escalating tensions in one of the world's most strategically important waterways and raising fresh concerns over regional security and global energy supplies.
The operation, confirmed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), was launched after what Washington described as Iranian attacks on merchant ships carrying civilian crews in international waters off the coast of Oman.
"Our forces acted to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway," CENTCOM said in a statement. The command called Iran's actions "unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the cease-fire."
The latest confrontation marks the most significant military escalation since the fragile U.S.-Iran cease-fire was brokered last month following weeks of conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
U.S. broadens military campaign
