The United States launched fresh military strikes on Iran early Wednesday, saying Tehran was responsible for attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington also revoked Iran's permission to openly sell crude oil on the global market, escalating pressure on the Islamic Republic.
Iran quickly warned that it would "take whatever measures it deems necessary," raising fears that the interim agreement that halted the fighting could collapse and once again push the wider Middle East toward a broader conflict.
The latest maritime attacks and the U.S. response came during the ongoing funeral ceremonies for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on Feb. 28 at the start of the war at the age of 86. The funeral, due to conclude Thursday, had been expected to be a period of reduced tensions, although mourners have repeatedly chanted slogans calling for the deaths of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Talks on a permanent agreement were expected to begin after Khamenei's burial, focusing on key issues including the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and scaling back Iran's disputed nuclear programme.
US strikes target Iranian military assets
The U.S. military's Central Command said the overnight strikes were carried out "to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway."
According to the military, the strikes hit Iranian air defence systems, radar installations and more than 60 small boats operated by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
Iran confirmed that the attacks had taken place but did not provide any information about casualties or damage.
The U.S. military also said it remained "postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable when the agreement is not adhered to or obeyed."
Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm and Sirik. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X that the U.S. strikes violated the interim agreement but did not address Iran's alleged attacks on commercial vessels in the strait.
The latest exchange followed a similar series of Iranian attacks on shipping and U.S. retaliatory strikes late last month. Wednesday's operation took place while Trump was attending a NATO summit in Turkey.
US revokes Iranian oil sales licence
The United States also cancelled the licence that had allowed Iran to sell oil openly under the interim agreement. The arrangement had enabled Tehran, for the first time in years, to export crude on international markets using U.S. dollars. Iran has long been suspected of selling sanctioned oil to China at discounted prices.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the licence was revoked because Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz were unacceptable and required a firm response.
The decision followed attacks on three commercial vessels. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said one tanker caught fire after being struck off the coast of Oman. Iranian state television reported that the liquefied natural gas tanker was attacked after ignoring warnings but stopped short of claiming responsibility.
The other two ships suffered limited damage but continued their voyages, with no injuries reported, according to the British maritime agency.
Since the war began, Iran has maintained tight control over the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy markets. During peacetime, around one-fifth of the world's traded oil and natural gas passes through the strategic waterway. The vessels targeted Tuesday were reportedly sailing along a route close to Oman's coast instead of the route designated by Tehran.
Iran has repeatedly insisted that only its approved shipping route is safe and has been suspected of targeting vessels using the Oman route.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat had been targeted in what he described as an "unacceptable attack" on international shipping and global energy security. He said Qatar holds Iran "fully legally responsible."
Under the interim agreement, Iran and the United States had agreed that ships could pass through the strait without paying transit charges for 60 days. However, Tehran later insisted that it should determine vessels' routes and eventually impose passage fees, a proposal opposed by Washington and several Gulf Arab states.
Funeral ceremonies continue for Khamenei
Authorities transported Khamenei's body to the holy Shiite city of Qom, where large crowds gathered on Tuesday to pay their respects.
Iranian state television broadcast live footage showing hundreds of thousands of mourners walking toward Jamkaran Mosque, south of Qom, for the funeral ceremony. Shiite Muslims believe the mosque was once visited by Muhammad al-Mahdi, the 12th and final Shiite imam, who disappeared in the ninth century and is believed to one day return to establish justice.
Khamenei's son and Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared publicly since the funeral ceremonies began in Tehran on Saturday. He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the airstrike that killed his father.
Late Tuesday, Khamenei's body was flown to Iraq, where officials from both countries received it. Funeral processions are scheduled for Wednesday in the holy Shiite cities of Najaf and Karbala before the body is returned to Iran for burial on Thursday at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.
