U.S. Central Command said Tuesday it has begun launching a series of strikes against Iran after it attacked three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The military said the operation is intended to impose “heavy costs” on Iran for what it described as attacks on commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in international waters.
U.S. Central Command said Iran’s actions were “unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire.”
Iran’s state-owned international news network reported an “informed source” has warned the United States against any “provocative action” in the Strait of Hormuz and that “any such act” would “be met with an immediate and decisive response.”
PressTV reported that the source stressed that traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz is being conducted “strictly in accordance with Iran’s arrangements.” The warning comes amid tensions following reports that several vessels transiting the strait without complying with Iran’s designated navigation procedures have been struck in recent days.
Iran’s state-owned news agency said Iran has “maintained restrictions on navigation in the Strait” since the war began on Feb. 28.
