Published 2026-07-07 23.19
Explosions were heard in the coastal areas of Sirik and Qeshm in southern Iran, reports the Iranian state-controlled news agency Fars.
The US military confirms that it launched attacks in response to Iranian attacks on maritime traffic in the region.
A “series of powerful” attacks are directed at Iran, the American military command Centcom states in a statement on X shortly after 11 o’clock on Tuesday evening, Swedish time.
The aim, according to the statement, is to provide a tangible response to Iran’s attacks on “commercial ships manned by innocent civilians”.
“The US attacks are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unjustified, dangerous and a clear violation of the ceasefire,” writes Centcom.
Earlier on Tuesday, Iran was accused by Qatar and Saudi Arabia of having attacked the three ships.
The US attacks follow the US Treasury Department pausing an exception that temporarily lifted oil sanctions against Iran in mid-June.
At the end of June, the US directed attacks against the same areas – Sirik and Qeshm – which are located on the strait.
Formally, there is a ceasefire between the US and Iran since a memorandum of understanding to end the war was signed in mid-June.
