The U.S. military launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, retaliating for an attack on a commercial tanker earlier that day, according to U.S. Central Command. The strikes come just hours after a previous round of U.S. operations against Iran, following an attack on another commercial ship on Thursday.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps deployed an attack drone against the M/T Kiku tanker, which was carrying over two million barrels of crude oil through the strait, CENTCOM reported. Iran then retaliated for the first U.S. strikes by attacking targets in Bahrain early Saturday.
CENTCOM stated that U.S. aircraft struck Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities. This escalation marks the second wave of U.S. strikes within 24 hours.
The escalating conflict could jeopardize the shaky U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and further disruptions risk broader regional instability.
"Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement," a statement from the U.S. military indicated, though it did not specify what consequences might follow if Iran continues attacks.