U.S. Strikes 80+ Iranian Targets in Hormuz Retaliation
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- U.S. Central Command struck over 80 Iranian military targets in the Strait of Hormuz with precision munitions, hitting air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 IRGC small boats.
- The strikes were four to five times larger in scope and power than the previous U.S. strikes in Hormuz 10 days ago, and came after Iran launched three separate attacks on commercial ships Monday and Tuesday.
- Trump approved the strike plan from Turkey during the NATO summit, meeting aboard Air Force One with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
- The Treasury Department revoked sanctions waivers that had allowed Iran to sell oil, prompting Iran's Foreign Ministry to accuse the U.S. of breaching the memorandum of understanding signed less than three weeks ago.
- Iran's military pledged a "crushing response," declared the "only safe route" for tankers is one set by Iran, and accused the U.S. of breaching the MOU; Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, and Qeshm Island.
- Iran also launched drones at Bahrain, a U.S. official said, widening the conflict's footprint beyond the strait.
- Defense Secretary Hegseth will travel from Turkey to Israel on Wednesday to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu — his first Israel trip as defense secretary — to discuss Iran.
Why it matters: The exchange threatens the MOU Trump signed less than three weeks ago to restore safe Hormuz passage and launch nuclear talks. With Iran pledging a "crushing response," the Treasury simultaneously revoking Iran's oil sanctions waivers, and Hegseth heading to Israel to coordinate with Netanyahu, both sides are escalating on multiple fronts at once.
