In brief
Central Command reports a powerful strike campaign against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, after Iranian forces damaged three global oil tankers. U.S. fighters allegedly struck sites in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island and Sirik, igniting fires that were broadcast by Iranian state media. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister condemned the attack as a grave breach of a prior memorandum, warning of decisive retaliatory measures. The incident deepens an already volatile regional dynamic, with U.S., Saudi, and UAE forces routinely patrolling the strategic waterway.
In a rapid escalation of tensions in the Gulf, U.S. Central Command reported an "impressive" strike campaign on Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) small boats and support infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz. The actions came after Iranian forces hijacked and damaged three international oil tankers en route from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates.
A fire ignited in Bandar Abbas, Iran, as U.S. aircraft allegedly struck the same day. The Pentagon confirmed the use of F‑16s and MH‑47 helicopters powered by advanced missile systems. "These attacks were inevitable once maritime security was threatened," a CENTCOM spokesperson said.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mohammad Reza Jabbari, described the strikes as a "grave violation" of the September memorandum signed between Tehran and Washington. "We reserve the right to take decisive measures against any U.S. aggression," he warned.
State media outlets reported that the hits were directed at Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Sirik, with the trio claiming "significant damage" to a number of small naval assets. U.S. officials deny that the attacks could be linked to the prior tanker incidents.
The confrontation marks the latest flare in an already volatile region, where Saudi, UAE, and U.S. forces routinely patrol the strategic shipping lane. As the diplomatic fallout deepens, analysts warn that the simmering tensions risk unraveling the fragile balance that has held the Gulf’s maritime trade afloat.