Iran has claimed it launched attacks on 85 U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait following reported U.S. strikes linked to recent incidents involving commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iranian authorities, the operation was carried out in response to what Tehran described as violations of a ceasefire agreement by the United States.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its military operations were intended to impose “heavy costs” on Iran following attacks on commercial shipping in the strategic waterway. It also accused Iran of carrying out actions that threatened civilian maritime traffic.
The latest escalation follows reports of attacks on several commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The UK Maritime Trade Operations also reported security incidents involving multiple oil tankers operating in the region.
In a statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described its military response as retaliation for what it alleged was a breach of the ceasefire by Washington. Meanwhile, CENTCOM maintained that Iran’s actions were “unwarranted, dangerous and a clear violation of the ceasefire.”
The renewed tensions come after the United States announced plans to reinstate sanctions on Iran over alleged attacks on commercial shipping, with both countries accusing each other of violating the terms of a previously announced ceasefire.
According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces carried out strikes against multiple targets after accusing Iran of launching a drone attack on a commercial tanker despite being given an opportunity to uphold the ceasefire.
President Donald Trump had earlier warned that Iran would face severe consequences if it continued actions the United States viewed as breaches of the agreement. Tehran, however, accused Washington of failing to uphold its commitments by permitting continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
Iran also announced restrictions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, stating that vessels would require permission to transit the strategic waterway, although it remains unclear whether those measures were connected to the latest reported attacks on commercial shipping.