The United States military launched what it described as “powerful” strikes against Iran on the night of Tuesday, July 7, 2026. The operation was carried out in response to attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which the United States claims were carried out by Iran.
According to The Guardian, the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) described Iran’s actions as a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement signed by the two countries last month. Washington characterized the attacks on the commercial vessels as “unprovoked and dangerous.”
Centcom stated that the military operation was intended to “impose significant costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway.”
Qatari and Saudi Vessels Targeted
One of the vessels reportedly targeted was the Qatari-flagged LNG tanker Al Rekayyat, which was allegedly attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz toward the Gulf of Oman.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that the vessel was struck near Limah, Oman. In a recorded mayday call cited in the report, a crew member was heard saying:
“We’re being hit by drones on the port side near the engine room.”
The incident is reportedly the first attack on a Qatari-flagged vessel since the U.S.-Iran conflict erupted on February 28, 2026.
Qatar, which has served as a mediator in peace negotiations between the two countries, strongly condemned the attack. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari described the incident as a “serious and blatant violation” of international law.
The Qatari government reportedly summoned Iran’s Deputy Ambassador to deliver a formal protest and stated that it would hold Iran fully accountable for the incident. Reports also indicated that the entire crew had abandoned the attacked vessel.
Saudi Arabia also condemned the attack on the Saudi-flagged tanker Wedyan, which was reportedly targeted while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Kingdom reiterates its demand that Iran immediately cease all actions threatening regional security, the safety of international navigation, and global energy supplies,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement cited in the report.
The Saudi government further declared that Iran was “fully responsible” for the attack and all resulting consequences.
Iran Denies Allegations, Reasserts Authority Over the Strait of Hormuz
Iran rejected the accusations and instead blamed the United States for escalating tensions.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Washington’s efforts to reopen shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz violated a memorandum of understanding previously agreed upon by the two countries.
According to Iran, the agreement grants Iran and Oman the authority to independently oversee the reopening of maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.
Iran also reiterated its intention to impose fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
“Providing security comes at a cost, and Iran and Oman have been doing that for a long time. From now on, we will charge the necessary fees for the services we provide, including ensuring safe passage,” the spokesperson said, as quoted in the report.
In addition, Iran rejected offers from France and the United Kingdom to assist in clearing naval mines and securing shipping routes on the southern side of the Strait of Hormuz, near the Omani coast.
“When France and others said they were ready to help, we told them, ‘No thank you. This is Iran’s responsibility, and we know how to handle it,'” the Iranian spokesperson said, according to the report.***
