The U.S. military said on Tuesday that it was striking military targets in Iran in retaliation for Iranian attacks on ships and U.S. forces in the region, raising the risk of a renewed round of fighting.
The U.S. strikes came after the two countries exchanged attacks on Sunday, puncturing a monthlong calm since President Trump pulled back after concerns over dwindling U.S. munition stockpiles, and unveiled a campaign to strangle Iran’s economy. The hostilities underscore that the conflict, which began six months ago, appears far from a durable solution.
U.S. Central Command did not specify where it was striking in Iran, but it said the attacks were targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Iranian state media said projectiles had hit sites in Chabahar and Konarak, two southern port cities east of the Strait of Hormuz.
Two Iranian officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. attacks, said the strikes hit several sites across Iran’s southern shores, including a military base in Bandar Abbas, the perimeter of the commercial airport on Qeshm Island, and targets in Sirik and Jask. The officials said the attacks caused significant damage.
In a social media post amid the bombardment, Mr. Trump said the U.S. attacks were “large and powerful, and in retaliation for the Iranians’ failed attempt at adding sea mines to the Strait.” He added that “If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, in a statement after Tuesday’s strikes began, said it would retaliate with “crushing” force and “impose heavy costs” on the United States.
Oil prices jumped and were up about 4 percent after the U.S. military said it had retaliated over Iranian strikes on commercial ships. Two ships were attacked within minutes of each other on Monday, according to Marisks, a risk consulting firm.
The U.S. military said on Sunday that its forces had bombarded Iranian troops on Larak Island that were preparing to launch rockets armed with mines into the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping corridor for oil and gas. Such an artillery weapon would be unusual, and it was not possible to independently confirm the military’s report.
The Iranian foreign ministry said several people were killed and wounded in Sunday’s strikes, but did not provide specifics.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said it retaliated by firing at bases in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates that host U.S. military personnel. The Jordanian authorities said that they had intercepted eight missiles in their airspace, while the Emirati military said it had “responded to” a drone from Iran. There were no reports of damage or casualties.
Even as the fighting slowed in recent weeks, there had been few signs of resolution to the issues at the heart of the war that Mr. Trump began in late February alongside Israel. A “memorandum of understanding” between Tehran and Washington quickly broke down after it was signed in late June.
Since then, Iran has fired on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, severely curbing the ability of U.S. allies to export oil and gas, and gaining significant leverage. Iranian officials have demanded steep and immediate concessions in exchange for reopening the strait, which U.S. officials have rejected.
The Trump administration has sought to squeeze Tehran economically by enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports and increasing sanctions on Tehran. But thoroughly enforcing sanctions is notoriously hard, and Iran’s case would require messy run-ins with allies and powerful rivals capable of retaliation, most notably China.
Jenny Gross contributed reporting.
