US strikes over 80 targets in Iran after Hormuz ship attacks, reimposes oil sanctions

The overnight strikes

US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a series of airstrikes on southern Iran in the early hours of 8 July, hitting more than 80 targets with precision munitions. The strikes targeted Iranian air defense systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar installations, anti-ship missile launch sites, and over 60 small boats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in and near the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions were reported in Sirik, on Qeshm Island, and in the port city of Bandar Abbas. Iranian state media said there were "several" wounded at the fishing and commercial port of Sirik.

U.S. forces struck Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar facilities, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 IRGC small boats in and near the strait.

Trigger: three ships hit in 24 hours

The strikes were a direct response to attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz within a 24-hour period, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Qatar and Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for two of the incidents. A US official told PBS that Iran had "clearly demonstrated it is not listening. We are raising the intensity." The US also revoked Iran's oil export license and replaced it with a new order under which no fresh licenses would be issued, effectively reimposing oil sanctions.

Iran has clearly demonstrated it is not listening. We are raising the intensity.

The broken Islamabad memorandum

Washington and Tehran each accuse the other of violating the memorandum of understanding signed in Islamabad on 17 June. That preliminary agreement was meant to pave the way for negotiations to end the Middle East war that began on 28 February with a US-Israeli attack on Iran. The text called for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz (through which roughly 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally transits) and the lifting of US oil sanctions. The de facto closure of the strait by Tehran had rattled the global economy and sent energy prices soaring.

Iran issues a stern warning about the consequences of America's violation of the agreement and will take decisive measures to protect its interests and national security.

Iran's response and regional fallout

Iran's foreign ministry denounced the US strikes as a violation of the Islamabad memorandum and promised a "decisive" retaliation. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on X that Iran would take "decisive measures to protect its interests and national security." Iranian state media reported that retaliatory attacks were launched against Kuwait and Bahrain, though details remained limited. Sirens sounded in Bahrain, and explosions were heard in the Hormuz area.

A wider escalation

Axios, citing a source in the Trump administration, reported that the latest bombings were more extensive than those carried out roughly a week and a half earlier. A CNN source described the strikes as "punishment" and said they would continue for some time. The renewed violence threatens to unravel the fragile ceasefire and deepen instability across the Gulf, with energy markets watching closely.