U.S. hits Iran with fresh strikes, renewed sanctions after tanker attacks

The United States launched fresh strikes against Iran on Tuesday following reports of attacks on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command. The new strikes were announced after the Trump administration said it was reinstating sanctions on Tehran.

CENTCOM alleged in a statement that Iran attacked three commercial vessels earlier Tuesday. CENTCOM said that the U.S. launched the latest strikes “to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway.”

“Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire,” CENTCOM continued.

A spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned Iran for a recent strike on its ship “Al-Rekayyat.” In a post on X, the Qatari official called the Iranian strikes “an unacceptable attack on the security & safety of international maritime navigation, the security of global energy supplies, & a grave & explicit violation of international law.”

Following the strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, the Treasury Department announced it was revoking its general license authorizing Iran’s oil sales issued in June. The general license was issued as part of a ceasefire agreement that serves as a framework to end the war. In the agreement, Iran vowed safe passage for ships through the strait.

“Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior,” a U.S. official told CNBC. “Iran’s actions in the Strait were wholly unacceptable to the United States and will be met with consequences.”

Iran’s economy has long been impacted by U.S. sanctions, some of which have existed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Half the country’s revenue comes from oil sales, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. By lifting primary and secondary sanctions, the U.S. provided a much needed boost to Iran, allowing third parties to conduct trade with the country.

The Treasury Department previously waived sanctions on Iranian oil through Aug. 21.

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