Last UpdateJuly 8, 2026, 4:29 AM EDT
U.S. Central Command said the strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as officials say targets inside Iran include missile, drone and port facilities.
WHAT TO KNOW
- U.S. Central Command on Tuesday said American forces had begun launching “powerful strikes” against Iran in response to attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
- A U.S. official said targets include air defense systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missile sites, anti-ship cruise missile sites, drone launch sites and port facilities.
- Three commercial vessels were struck by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz between Monday and Tuesday, a U.S. official confirmed, prompting the U.S. to claw back oil sanctions waivers offered to Tehran.
- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre raised the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz to “severe” after the tanker attacks.
- President Donald Trump arrived at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where tensions over Iran and alliance burden-sharing are expected to dominate talks.
- Trump said Turkey has been a “great ally” to the U.S. and signaled he is prepared to lift sanctions on Ankara and move forward with a long-stalled F-35 fighter jet sale.
39PostsSort byNewestOldest
4 hours ago
PINNED
NATO chief calls US strikes on Iran ‘absolutely necessary’
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the latest U.S. strikes on Iran were “absolutely necessary” during remarks Wednesday. (REUTERS/Yves Herman)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday said the latest U.S. strikes on Iran were “absolutely necessary.”
Speaking to reporters ahead of a NATO leaders’ meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Rutte said it was “crucial” for the United States to respond to what he described as Iran’s ceasefire violations.
“I think it was absolutely necessary,” he said. “When you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire, I think it is totally crucial that the U.S. forcefully react.”
The remarks came hours after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday it carried out what it described as “offensive” strikes in Iran in response to Tehran’s recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces struck more than 80 targets in Iran during the latest wave of military operations.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Posted by Michael Sinkewicz
4 hours ago
Iran says it targeted 85 US military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said early Wednesday that it targeted 85 U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to Tuesday’s U.S. military strikes.
Iranian state media reported the strikes came after Tehran accused the United States of violating the countries’ ceasefire agreement.
The reported attacks came after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday that U.S. forces struck more than 80 targets in Iran in response to Tehran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces targeted Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Posted by Michael Sinkewicz
5 hours ago
Iran says it’s ‘fully prepared’ for more US strikes: report
The truck carrying the coffins of the slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family makes its way through mourners during the funeral procession toward Azadi Tower in Tehran, Iran, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Iran is fully prepared for the United States to launch additional strikes, according to an advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
The advisor, Mohsen Rezaei, said “Trump intends to attack again, and we [Iran] are fully prepared,” The Jerusalem Post reported.
The comments came after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday it carried out what it described as “offensive” strikes in Iran in response to Tehran’s recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces struck more than 80 targets in Iran in its latest wave of military operations.
Posted by Michael Sinkewicz
5 hours ago
Millions of barrels of Iranian oil left in limbo after US revokes waiver
Millions of barrels of Iranian oil were left without a clear destination after the United States revoked a sanctions waiver allowing Tehran to sell crude. (Farzad Frames/Getty Images)
Millions of barrels of Iranian oil were left without a clear destination after the United States revoked a 60-day waiver allowing Tehran to sell crude, according to a Bloomberg report published Wednesday.
Bloomberg reported that about 63 million barrels of Iranian oil are currently aboard tankers either in transit or idling.
The report said the oil is being held on ships across the Persian Gulf and Asian waters, with many cargoes lacking a clear destination.
The development comes after Fox News Digital reported Tuesday that the United States was clawing back oil sanctions waivers granted to Iran as part of a framework agreement that launched a two-month negotiating period following Tehran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Posted by Michael Sinkewicz
