US military launches strikes against Iran, Central Command says

U.S. and Iranian flags are seen in this illustration taken March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab

WASHINGTON, July 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. military has launched a ​series of strikes against Iran, U.S. ‌Central Command said Tuesday, adding that the strikes were in response to what it said ​were Iranian attacks on three ​commercial vessels that were transiting the ⁠Strait of Hormuz.

"U.S. Central Command forces ​have begun launching a series of powerful ​strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping," a U.S. ​military statement said.

"Iran’s demonstrated aggression was ​unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire," ‌it ⁠added.

It was unclear what specifically the U.S. targeted but Iranian media said six projectiles hit the area of ​Taheroui pier ​in ⁠Sirik in southern Iran.

This marks the first known U.S. ​military strikes against Iran since ​late ⁠last month, when there were several days of strikes and counterstrikes between the ⁠two.

Reporting ​by Idrees Ali, Phil ​Stewart, Ryan Patrick Jones, Ismail Shakil and Daphne Psaledakis; ​editing by Michelle Nichols and Sanjeev Miglani

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