U.S. Launches New Strikes Against Iran—Here’s Why
The U.S. launched its latest strikes against Iran on Tuesday, according to U.S. Central Command, which said the military operations were made in response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz—a major oil shipping route that remains a sizable point of contention in U.S.-Iran peace efforts.
U.S. Central Command said its forces started launching “a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians,” according to a statement.
The strikes come shortly after President Donald Trump revoked a waiver authorizing the sale of Iranian oil, marking the latest rupture between the U.S. and Iran after a “Memorandum of Understanding” was signed three weeks ago.
Iran, which has asserted dominance over the Strait of Hormuz, has not directly claimed responsibility for the attacks, The New York Times reported, noting an unnamed U.S. official who said negotiations toward a finalized deal with Iran would continue.
Trump said Monday the U.S. would make a deal with Iran or “finish the job,” with Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, calling Trump’s threat “delusional.”
130. That is how many days have passed since the U.S. and Israel first launched strikes against Iran.
The U.S. made multiple bombardments against Iran last month. Prior to the signing of the memorandum of understanding, U.S. Central Command struck Iranian air defenses, radar sites and ground control stations after a U.S. helicopter was downed near the Strait of Hormuz. Both pilots of the helicopter survived. Later in June, U.S. strikes were made against Iran after drones hit a cargo ship in the strait. Trump called the attack a “foolish violation” of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire violation. The agreement signed by the U.S. and Iran called for an immediate end to military operations by both countries and its allies and an initial 60-day negotiation period that will largely revolve around Iran’s nuclear program. The agreement also says the U.S. and its partners in the Middle East would develop a reconstruction plan for Iran worth at least $300 billion, though the Trump administration has repeatedly said the U.S. government will not pay into the fund. Vice President JD Vance said last week talks with Iran were “going well,” though there has yet to be a major breakthrough following over two weeks of negotiations.