US and Iran Resume Military Strikes as Fragile Ceasefire Faces Collapse
According to US officials, Washington initiated large-scale air operations against Iran following attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States also withdrew a temporary waiver that had allowed limited sales of Iranian oil, further escalating tensions.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said more than 80 targets inside Iran were struck on Tuesday. The military stated that the operation was aimed at imposing significant costs on Iran and degrading its capability to conduct maritime attacks.
According to the US military, the strikes targeted more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fast attack boats, along with air defence systems, coastal surveillance facilities, surface-to-air missile sites, anti-ship cruise missile batteries, and drone launch locations.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that its naval and aerospace forces carried out a coordinated retaliatory operation targeting 85 US-related military sites using missiles and drones.
In a statement, the IRGC said the attacks included the US Navy's Fifth Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
Iran said the operation was conducted in response to what it described as US violations of the ceasefire and the Islamabad Agreement. Tehran also alleged that US airstrikes had targeted coastal and civilian areas in Hormozgan Province and Mahshahr earlier the same day, prompting its military response.
The claims made by both sides have not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate confirmation of the reported damage or casualties.