The US has launched new airstrikes on Iranian military targets

After three cargo ships were hit by missiles near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran launched new strikes on a series of targets on its territory, Ground News reported.

At the same time, Washington revoked a special license that had allowed Tehran to sell oil on international markets. According to the US Central Command, more than 80 targets were struck during the military operation.

The US side emphasized that among these targets were more than 60 small military vessels belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Washington stated that the operation was carried out to limit the ability of commercial ships to attack.

The US military assessed Iran's recent actions as a violation of the de-escalation regime and a serious threat to freedom of navigation at sea. In turn, Iran's military sharply condemned these strikes, calling them acts of aggression.

Tehran also stated that it reserves the right to respond to these events and will not allow US interference in efforts to control maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian sources, powerful explosions occurred on the islands of Khark and Qeshm, as well as in the southern port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas.

So far, there is no precise information about civilian casualties. It is reported that several people were injured as a result of a missile strike on the commercial port in Sirik.

Additionally, there are reports of damage to fishing facilities and fires breaking out on several fishing vessels. According to US officials, the strikes were primarily aimed at Iran's air defense systems, coastal surveillance facilities, various missile launch sites, and drone airfields.

These events represented the next test of the de-escalation agreement signed between the US and Iran last month. Washington revoked one of the key concessions that had allowed Iran to export oil and petroleum products on international markets.

As a result, oil prices on the global market rose by more than three percent. The state of Qatar also accused Iran of attacking vessels, including a large natural gas tanker.

According to Doha's information, the ship was struck by a drone, resulting in a fire. Furthermore, it was reported that a cargo ship belonging to Saudi Arabia was also damaged near the Omani coast.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Iran's chargé d'affaires over the situation and expressed protest. Iran, meanwhile, dismissed all accusations as baseless and emphasized that it is fully fulfilling its obligations.