U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that American forces struck more than 80 targets in Iran after Tehran allegedly targeted three commercial tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. officials described the attacks as a direct breach of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran. The ensuing U.S. military operation was significantly larger than the strikes carried out on June 27, which also followed Iranian attacks on commercial shipping.
The Treasury Department also moved to reinstate sanctions on Iranian oil sales, increasing economic pressure on Tehran. The developments come as Iran continues funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The ceasefire now appears increasingly fragile, according to reporting earlier Tuesday:
U.S. Central Command said its forces had begun a series of major strikes intended to impose consequences on Iran for targeting commercial vessels with civilian crews in an international waterway. The response followed Iranian attacks on three ships…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 7, 2026
In its statement, CENTCOM said U.S. forces had launched what it called powerful strikes against Iran in response to attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The command described Iran’s actions as unjustified, dangerous and a clear violation of the ceasefire.
Administration officials reportedly said the airstrikes were prompted by Iran’s latest targeting of commercial shipping in the strategically vital waterway:
“U.S. forces struck Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats in and near the strait to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking international commerce flowing through the international trade corridor,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
Iran’s bellicose response was predictable because they often lash out with angry threats:
Iran’s top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, vowed to deliver a “crushing response” after U.S. forces launched a series of strikes in the country Tuesday.
Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters described the U.S. strikes as a “blatant act of aggression” and warned that Tehran would not allow the United States to interfere with its handling of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Just because they can’t always back up their violent rhetoric doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take them seriously — the Islamic Republic is a dangerous foe that is a threat to peace and decency in the civilized world — but it’s also true that their mouths often spout off about checks that their accounts can’t cash.
HEATING UP: Breaking: CENTCOM Now Imposing Heavy Costs on Iran for Targeting Ships
Iran Reneges Again, Strikes 2 Ships in Strait of Hormuz — US Responds by Hitting Them Where It Hurts
RedState’s Buzz Patterson had thoughts:
CENTCOM has release video of our strikes tonight. It’s over for now. We targeted over 80 locations and more than 60 IRGC small boats.
We hit them HARD tonight but all targets were military installations or equipment.
Bridge and Power Day is standing by, Iran. I think I’d quit… https://t.co/2oXuZMBee0
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) July 8, 2026
CENTCOM has release video of our strikes tonight. It’s over for now. We targeted over 80 locations and more than 60 IRGC small boats.
We hit them HARD tonight but all targets were military installations or equipment.
Bridge and Power Day is standing by, Iran. I think I’d quit shooting at oil tankers. We’re chomping at the bit over here.
And so the conflict rages on. Are we looking at war, submission, a deal, or something unexpected? RedState will keep you posted.
Editor’s Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
