The United States has launched military operations against 10 Iranian targets across multiple sites in and around the Strait of Hormuz, following an Iranian drone attack on a commercial oil tanker.
President Donald Trump directed the military operation, which destroyed Iranian surveillance systems, communications infrastructure, air defence installations, unmanned aircraft storage sites, and naval mining equipment.
The strikes followed an Iranian attack on the Kiku, which was hit by a one-way drone in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday morning. The tanker was carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil. The crew remained safe and no environmental damage occurred.
Escalating threats
Trump said the US had "struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN!"
The president issued a stark warning about further military action, stating: "If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!"
US Central Command said the strikes responded to the merchant vessel attack. The Saturday incident followed an Iranian drone strike on a merchant vessel near Oman's coast on Thursday, which triggered US retaliatory strikes the next day.
Disputed transit routes
The Kiku was attempting to use an alternative route near the Oman coast rather than routes through Iranian waters that Tehran has sought to impose.
A multinational maritime body overseen by the US Navy announced it would expand the Omani coastal route to allow both inbound and outbound traffic.
Iran insists ships must obey its orders and warned it will start charging fees for transit through the strait. The US and Gulf Arab states have rejected Iran's demands regarding strait passage.
The strait is considered an international waterway despite being the territorial waters of Iran and Oman.
Regional fallout
Iranian drones also struck targets in Bahrain, prompting Bahrain's Foreign Ministry to condemn the attack as a threat to citizens and residents. Bahrain hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet and recently hosted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard stated it had targeted several US military locations in the region. Iran state television reported explosions in an area north of the strait.
The attacks occurred despite an interim ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran that allocated 60 days for negotiations on strait passage, Iran's nuclear programme, and the conflict in Lebanon.
US Vice President JD Vance, who has led the negotiations with Iran, said Tehran should "pick up the phone" rather than resort to attacks. He warned that "violence will be met with violence".
Shipping disruption
Approximately 115 ships have moved out of the strait in recent days. The International Maritime Organisation halted ship evacuation efforts and will not resume them until guarantees against further attacks are provided.