The US has launched a series of “powerful” strikes on Iran in response to attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command said it had begun the assault, “to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent individuals in an international waterway”.
The tankers were attacked in a 24-hour period on Monday and Tuesday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations.
The US Treasury had also revoked a sanctions waiver that temporarily lifted oil sanctions on Iran. The revoked licence, which authorised Iran to sell oil and petrol products, was part of the memorandum of understanding, signed by Washington and Tehran last month.
Iran has not claimed responsbility for the strikes on the tankers. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also denounced the attacks, with each saying a tanker from its country had been hit as it was transiting in or near the Strait.
Qatar demanded that Iran “immediately cease all practices that undermine regional security” and “refrain from endangering global energy supplies and the resources of the countries of the region in pursuit of narrow interests”.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said Iran had targeted a Saudi tanker as it crossed the Strait. It said the assaults were “an attack on the security and safety of international navigation, and the security of global energy supplies”.
The US military said in a statement: “Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire”.
A US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity before the US Central Command announcement, insisted that US negotiators would continue to work in “good faith” towards a final deal with Iran.
Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Ione Wells in Washington.
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