U.S. Military Conducts Strikes on Iranian Targets Following Attack on Tanker

The U.S. military has conducted 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 within 24 hours, amid rising tensions in the region that could jeopardize the existing U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. On Saturday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps launched a drone attack on the M/T Kiku tanker, which was carrying over two million barrels of crude oil. This incident followed U.S. strikes on Iranian targets in retaliation for a previous attack on another commercial ship on Thursday. In response to the initial U.S. strikes, Iranian forces targeted locations in Bahrain early Saturday. CENTCOM stated that U.S. aircraft focused on Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities. CENTCOM also noted that Iran had the opportunity to honor the ceasefire agreement but chose not to.