The U.S. military has initiated strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz in response to an attack on a commercial tanker on Saturday morning, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). This marks the second wave of strikes in less than 24 hours amid escalating tensions in the region, which may jeopardize the existing U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.
On Saturday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps reportedly launched a drone attack on the M/T Kiku tanker, which was transporting over two million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz. This incident followed U.S. strikes on Iranian targets that occurred in retaliation for a prior attack on another commercial vessel on Thursday. In response to the initial U.S. strikes, Iranian forces attacked targets in Bahrain early Saturday.
CENTCOM stated that the U.S. aircraft targeted various Iranian military assets, including surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and capabilities related to laying mines. CENTCOM also noted that Iran had the opportunity to adhere to a ceasefire agreement but chose not to.