US launches strikes on Iran after attacks on ships in Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, United States — U.S. Central Command said it launched large-scale air strikes against targets in Iran in response to Iran's targeting of three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to impose a heavy price on Iran for striking commercial ships carrying civilians in an international waterway, calling Iran's actions illegitimate, dangerous and a clear violation of the ceasefire. Iranian state media reported 14 explosions across several regions of the country, with 10 in the southern city of Sirik and four in the village of Misin on Qeshm Island. Iran's Foreign Ministry said Washington was trying to justify its breaches of the agreement under various pretexts and that Iran had fulfilled all of its obligations in good faith. In its initial statement, the U.S. military command did not provide details on the nature of the targets struck or the extent of the damage.