WASHINGTON: US strikes Iran after attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command said Tuesday night.
CENTCOM said its forces began “powerful strikes” to impose costs for targeting commercial shipping in an international waterway.
The statement was issued around 21:30 GMT Tuesday, or 2:30 am PKT Wednesday, after maritime monitors reported attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said two tankers had been struck by projectiles in the waterway.
The Joint Maritime Information Centre raised the threat level for Strait of Hormuz transit to “severe” from “substantial” after attacks on three tankers.
Iranian state media reported explosions east and west of Bandar Abbas, as well as around Sirik Port, where it said projectiles struck commercial and fishing piers.
Fars news agency also reported explosions near Sirik and Qeshm Island in southern Iran. The US Treasury Department earlier revoked a temporary sanctions waiver that had allowed Iran to sell crude oil and related products under a June memorandum.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of violating Article 10 of the memorandum and said the decision showed bad faith.
Read: Strait of Hormuz Missiles Hit Commercial Ships
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations on a final deal would not begin if threats continued, after US President Donald Trump warned Washington would reach an agreement with Tehran or “finish the job.”
Brent crude rose more than 3 per cent to $76.03 a barrel in post-settlement trade, while US crude jumped above $72.65 after the US strikes.
