US launches military strikes on IRGC targets after tanker attacks near Hormuz
US forces struck IRGC targets in Iran after recent attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions.
The United States has initiated military strikes against targets linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a move that sharply raises tensions in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Tuesday that American forces began the operation at 12 p.m. ET. In a statement posted on X, the command said the strikes were a direct response to "recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region."
The action follows a series of incidents that have heightened concerns over the safety of one of the world's most critical energy transit routes. Maritime reports indicate that two oil tankers were struck by projectiles near the waterway on Monday, underscoring the immediate threat to commercial vessels.
The latest strikes mark a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The US military has previously conducted operations against Iranian assets near the strait, with the stated goal of limiting Iran's ability to threaten international shipping. This new round of strikes is aimed at preventing Iranian forces from rebuilding capabilities that could endanger maritime traffic in the region.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected.