US Launches Massive Retaliatory Strikes on Iran, Tehran Hits Back

The United States launched a new wave of military strikes against Iran overnight, targeting more than 80 sites after Washington accused Tehran of attacking three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has placed the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire under renewed strain.

According to U.S. Central Command, the operation targeted Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar installations, anti-ship missile capabilities, drone launch sites, port infrastructure and more than 60 small boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in and around the strategic waterway. The military said the strikes were intended to “impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway,” calling Iran’s actions “unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire.”

The attacks marked the first known U.S. strikes on Iran since the exchange of attacks between the two countries late last month. American officials said the operation was launched in direct response to Iranian strikes on three civilian vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island and Sirik, where several projectiles struck military and port areas. Authorities said several people were injured by shrapnel, while fishing boats caught fire near the affected ports. No civilian deaths were immediately reported.

Before the military operation, the United States revoked a temporary sanctions waiver that had allowed Iran to produce, sell and export crude oil until August 21. U.S. officials said the agreement with Tehran was “entirely performance-based” and warned that Iran would receive benefits only if it demonstrated “good behavior.”

Tehran strongly condemned both the renewed sanctions and the military strikes, accusing Washington of repeatedly violating last month's memorandum of understanding. Iran's Foreign Ministry described the revocation of the oil waiver as a “treacherous action” and a “major violation” of the agreement, warning that it would “take whatever measures it deems necessary to safeguard its national interests and security.”

Iran's top military command also vowed a “crushing response,” insisting it would not permit foreign interference in the management of the Strait of Hormuz. It maintained that only routes approved by Iran could guarantee safe passage for commercial vessels through the strategic waterway.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it retaliated by launching missiles and drones against 85 U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. The group also claimed to have shot down an American MQ-9 drone over southern Iran.

Missile warning sirens sounded across Bahrain and Kuwait following the Iranian response. Bahraini authorities urged residents to move to the nearest safe location, while Kuwait said its air defense systems were intercepting “hostile missile and drone attacks.” Neither country immediately reported damage, and the United States did not confirm Iran's claims regarding strikes on its facilities.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of committing repeated breaches of the memorandum of understanding, citing the latest airstrikes, renewed oil sanctions, continued threats of military action, disputes over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing Israeli operations in Lebanon. “The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don't fold,” he said.

The latest escalation followed attacks on three commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker that caught fire after reportedly being struck by a drone and a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker that was also damaged. The incidents prompted maritime authorities to raise the threat level for vessels transiting the waterway, while several oil and gas tankers turned back from the area over security concerns.

The renewed tensions also affected global energy markets, with U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude rising more than 2.5% as concerns mounted over the security of one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.

Speaking before the NATO summit in Ankara, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended Washington's military action, calling the strikes “absolutely necessary.” He said that “when there is a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire... it is totally crucial that the U.S. forcefully reacts.” Rutte also reiterated that the United States remains fully committed to NATO, while noting Washington continues to expect European allies and Canada to increase defense spending.