The attacks come as U.S. and Iranian officials have been negotiating about maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which some 20% of the world’s oil passed before the war.

Control over the Strait of Hormuz has remained a major point of contention between the U.S. and Iran even after the two countries signed a temporary peace deal last month.

US forces launched strikes on Iran on Tuesday after three commercial vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said, sharply escalating a confrontation that…

US Central Command said the strikes were carried out “to impose heavy costs” for attacks on commercial shipping.