US launches fresh strikes on Iran

The United States has carried out airstrikes on multiple locations across Iran. The attacks were launched on Wednesday (July 8) in retaliation for assaults on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation in a statement.

In a post on social media, CENTCOM said US forces had begun a series of powerful strikes against targets in Iran in response to attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. It described Iran's actions as "unprovoked, dangerous, and a clear violation of the existing ceasefire."

According to Al Jazeera, several powerful explosions were heard in southern Iran. However, the exact source of the blasts and the extent of the damage were not immediately known.

Meanwhile, Iran has strongly accused the United States of violating a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) after Washington revoked its decision to temporarily waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales.

In a statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the move by the US Treasury Department, calling it a "clear violation of Article 10" of the memorandum of understanding signed on June 18.

The ministry said the decision to reinstate sanctions just 20 days after the signing of the agreement reflected Washington's "bad faith" and "malicious intent." It added that the move once again demonstrated that the US administration could not be trusted.

The statement further alleged that the United States had not only directly breached the agreement but was also violating it indirectly by encouraging and supporting Israeli military operations in Lebanon.