The U.S. military carried out strikes against more than 80 targets in Iran on Tuesday after Iranian forces allegedly targeted three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
As Red State reported, U.S. officials said the operation was conducted in response to attacks on commercial shipping that they said violated a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.
According to the administration, the military response was significantly larger than previous U.S. strikes conducted on June 27, following an earlier incident involving commercial vessels.
CENTCOM said the latest operation focused on degrading Iran’s ability to threaten international maritime traffic through one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.
According to a CENTCOM statement, U.S. forces targeted multiple categories of military infrastructure.
“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.
U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway. The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 7, 2026
The military action came after U.S. officials accused Iran of attacking three commercial ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
Administration officials described those actions as a violation of the existing memorandum of understanding between the two countries.
In addition to the military operation, the Treasury Department announced that sanctions on Iranian oil sales had been reimposed. Administration officials said the sanctions were intended to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
The developments occurred as Iran continued public mourning ceremonies following the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The latest exchange has raised new questions about the durability of the ceasefire arrangement between the United States and Iran.
Iran responded by condemning the strikes.
According to reports, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters described the U.S. military action as a “blatant act of aggression” and warned that Tehran would respond.
The military command also vowed to deliver a “crushing response” and said Iran would not allow the United States to interfere with its handling of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important waterways because a significant share of global energy shipments passes through the narrow channel connecting the Persian Gulf with international shipping lanes.
Military analysts continue to closely monitor developments in the region as both countries exchange warnings and military actions.
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson also commented after CENTCOM released video of the strikes.
“CENTCOM has released 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.”
Neither the United States nor Iran has announced additional military operations following Tuesday’s exchange, although officials in both countries have continued to issue public statements regarding the confrontation.
The latest military action follows weeks of heightened tensions involving commercial shipping, sanctions, and military operations in the Persian Gulf region.
Whether the conflict escalates further or returns to diplomatic negotiations remains uncertain as both governments continue to respond to developments in the Strait of Hormuz.
