BREAKING: US launches ‘powerful’ strikes against Iran

The United States has launched what it described as powerful airstrikes against Iran after accusing Tehran of attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Central Command in a statement on Tuesday said the strikes were aimed at making Iran pay a heavy price for targeting commercial shipping and crews in an international waterway.

It said the action followed attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, describing Iran’s conduct as dangerous, unjustified and a breach of the ceasefire.

The statement reads, “U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway,” CENTCOM said in a social media post.

“The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire.”

Iranian state television reported that several explosions were heard in Sirik, a southern port city in Iran, as the strikes unfolded.

ALSO READ: Trump loses Supreme Court battle to end US birthright citizenship

The latest development came as Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected accusations by Qatar that it attacked one of its ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran described the allegation as questionable, unacceptable and contrary to the principle of good neighbourliness.

Iran also maintained that it remains committed to maritime security and the provision of shipping services in the Strait of Hormuz.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei urged regional countries and shipping companies to avoid actions that could undermine the ceasefire agreement.

Baghaei further warned that vessels moving through uncoordinated routes or switching off their tracking systems could threaten maritime security and navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz.