Airstrike Scale 4–5 Times Larger Than 10 Days Ago: US Launches 'Powerful Strikes' in Retaliation for Iran's Attack on Merchant Ships

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a series of 'powerful strikes' on multiple military targets inside Iran in the early hours of July 8. The U.S. stated the operation was a retaliatory response to Iran's recent attacks on three merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and strongly condemned Tehran's actions as a 'clear violation of the ceasefire agreement'.

According to CENTCOM's statement, the purpose of the airstrikes was to impose a 'heavy cost' on Iran for its 'unprovoked and dangerous actions' against civilian merchant vessels in international waterways. The military action has plunged the Persian Gulf into renewed and extreme tension, coming just as the U.S. and Iran were attempting to implement a 'Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)' aimed at ending months of regional conflict and restoring safe navigation in strategic sea lanes.

On July 6 and 7, multiple merchant vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz were attacked by Iran, including a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier and a Saudi Arabian oil tanker. The attacks triggered strong condemnation from Gulf states and prompted the U.S. to swiftly reinstate sanctions on Iranian oil exports, casting a shadow over the fragile diplomatic progress between the two nations.

A U.S. official told the media outlet Axios that the targets of the U.S. airstrikes were highly specific, including Iranian air defense systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missile sites, anti-ship cruise missile bases, drone launch facilities, and port infrastructure. Iranian state media also confirmed reports of intense explosions in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, and Qeshm Island. The official emphasized that the scale of this operation was 4 to 5 times larger than the U.S. airstrikes conducted in the region about 10 days prior.

The UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) confirmed that an oil tanker reported being struck on its port side by an unidentified flying object, causing a fire, and has urged all vessels transiting the strategic waterway to remain vigilant and enhance security measures. While three merchant ships were damaged in the attacks, there have been no reports of casualties so far.

Saudi Arabia issued its 'strongest condemnation' over the attacks on its oil tanker 'Wedyan' and the Qatari vessel 'Al-Rekayyat', criticizing Iran's actions as a blatant provocation against international maritime safety and global energy supply security.

The Qatari government also condemned the attack on 'Al-Rekayyat' and summoned Iran's ambassador to Qatar, stating that Tehran must bear full legal responsibility for the attack and all subsequent damages.

Prior to the U.S. military strikes, the U.S. Department of the Treasury revoked 'General License X' on July 7. This license had temporarily allowed Iran to export oil, petrochemical products, and petroleum products under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding. U.S. administration officials have repeatedly stressed that the agreement is entirely 'performance-based' and that all sanctions relief can be withdrawn immediately if Iran fails to uphold its commitments.

President Donald Trump, in an interview on July 6, indicated that Washington might be 'close to reaching an agreement with Tehran', but issued a stern warning that if negotiations collapse, the U.S. would 'completely solve the problem' without hesitation.

Trump stated: 'We have only two options: either reach an agreement, or completely solve the problem—and solving this is not difficult for us.' He added: 'Personally, I prefer to reach an agreement because I don't want to involve those 91 million people. But if necessary, we can destroy their bridges and cut off their energy supply within an hour.'

Following the U.S. Treasury's reinstatement of sanctions and the subsequent U.S. military airstrikes, Iran's Foreign Ministry accused Washington of violating the Memorandum of Understanding and warned that Tehran would take 'decisive measures' to defend its national interests and security.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on July 7 that negotiations on a final agreement would not begin as long as U.S. 'threats' continued. Araghchi wrote on social media: 'Article 13 of the MoU is clear: if threats persist, negotiations on the final agreement will not commence. Please respect your own signature.'

Meanwhile, Mohsen Rezaee, a senior military advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, also accused Washington of undermining the agreement on July 7, predicting that the U.S. would destroy the negotiations itself. Rezaee declared: 'Those in Iran who oppose negotiations must remain patient—because the U.S. itself will sabotage these talks.'

This latest military conflict occurred shortly after the U.S. and Iran concluded practical negotiations last month on the implementation details of the 'June 17 Memorandum of Understanding'. At the time, both sides were discussing maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the phased easing of sanctions.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is scheduled to arrive in Israel on July 8 to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. With the U.S. military launching a new round of airstrikes, the Iran issue will undoubtedly be the central focus of this U.S.-Israel meeting.