The United States has carried out major military strikes on Iran and revoked a license that allowed Tehran to sell oil after attacks on three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The administration of US President Donald Trump took these steps in response to the latest maritime attacks. Reuters reported that the decision has increased pressure on the already fragile ceasefire between the two countries.

The latest military action came a day after large crowds gathered in the holy city of Qom to mourn Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had completed a large-scale operation targeting more than 80 locations across Iran. The command said the strikes aimed to impose high costs on Tehran.

CENTCOM stated that the operation also targeted more than 60 small boats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The military said these boats could threaten commercial shipping in the region. It added that the operation aimed to reduce Iran’s ability to launch attacks on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

In its statement, CENTCOM said, “The unwarranted aggression by Iranian forces is a clear and dangerous violation of the ceasefire and undermines freedom of navigation.”

Iran strongly condemned the US operation. Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s top joint military command, described the strikes as a “blatant act of aggression.” It warned that Tehran would deliver a “crushing response” to the attacks. The command also said Iran would not allow the United States to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz.

Local media in Iran reported explosions early Wednesday at several locations in the country’s south. The blasts were heard at Kharg Island, Qeshm Island, and the port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas. Authorities have not reported any civilian deaths so far. However, reports said several people suffered injuries after shrapnel from an “enemy projectile” struck a commercial pier in Sirik.

Reports also said the US strikes hit fishing piers in Sirik and Bandar Abbas. The attacks set several fishing boats on fire. Iranian state-run Press TV confirmed that multiple explosions occurred on Kharg Island. The broadcaster did not provide details about the cause of the blasts. It also did not report the extent of the damage or any casualties.

CENTCOM did not mention Kharg Island in its official statement. The island is Iran’s main oil export hub and handles nearly 90 per cent of the country's crude oil exports. The United States last attacked the island in April.

A US official told Reuters that the strikes focused on key military infrastructure. The targets included Iranian air defence systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles, and drone launch sites. The operation aimed to weaken Iran’s military capabilities along the Gulf coast.

The Trump administration also tightened economic pressure on Iran by revoking a US Treasury license that had allowed the sale of Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products. Under the interim US-Iran agreement, the Treasury had issued a general license on June 22. The permit had allowed transactions involving Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemicals until August 21.

The US government has now withdrawn that license. It has directed businesses and other parties involved in such transactions to wind them down by July 17. The move marks another escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran and adds fresh uncertainty to the future of the ceasefire.

The latest developments have further raised concerns about stability in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping routes for global oil supplies. With military action continuing and Iran warning of retaliation, tensions in the region remain high.