U.S. Central Command forces say they have begun launching strikes against Iran Tuesday afternoon.
The strikes were initiated to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz.
This comes after Iran allegedly fired on three commercial vessels Tuesday in Oman's territorial waters near the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. official described the strikes as a “gross violation” of the memorandum of understanding with Iran.
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U.S. Central Command stated that Iran's "demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire."
The Qatari-flagged vessel al-Rakiyat, was “passing near” the key waterway when it was struck, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
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"As President Trump and the administration have repeatedly affirmed, the MOU in effect with Iran is entirely performance-based," a U.S. official stated. "Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior. Iran's actions across the Strait were wholly unacceptable to the United States and will be met with consequences. Our negotiators continue to work in good faith towards a final deal."
The attack occurred hours before US President Donald Trump departed for a high-stakes NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
