US Strikes Iran and Reimposes Oil Sanctions After Attacks on Commercial Ships

On Tuesday, the United States launched new strikes against Iran and reinstated sanctions on Iranian oil sales in response to a series of attacks on commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement published on platform X that American forces had “launched a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial ships with civilian crews in an international waterway.”

The same statement said that “The American strikes are a response to Iranian attacks on three commercial ships that were passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The aggression displayed by Iran was unjustified, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire.”

The statement was released immediately after the US decision to reinstate economic sanctions on Iran. Such measures are seen as among the most serious challenges to the fragile ceasefire between the two countries. With the return of the sanctions, Washington is withdrawing one of the main concessions it had made to Tehran in exchange for the reopening of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Iran will benefit only if it shows responsible behavior,” a US official said. He also added: “Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz were completely unacceptable to the United States and will have consequences.”

The developments had an immediate effect on global oil markets. Brent crude rose 3% to $76 a barrel, while US crude climbed nearly 6%, moving back above $70 a barrel for the first time since June 30.

Earlier, the US Treasury Department had agreed to suspend sanctions on Iranian oil sales for 60 days as part of the ceasefire agreement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had described that step as a sign of confidence in the “constructive talks” between the two countries.