US launches new strikes against Iranian targets after vessels struck in Hormuz

The US military launched a series of strikes against Iranian targets early on Wednesday after three merchant ships were struck in the waters off Oman.In a statement posted to social media, US Central Command said American forces launched the strikes “to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway”.“Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous and a clear violation of the ceasefire,” the statement said.Three tankers including a Qatari LNG vessel were struck within hours in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to maritime monitors and Qatar.The LNG tanker was at risk of exploding and a Saudi crude tanker was damaged, prompting maritime authorities to raise the threat level for vessels transiting the strategic waterway to “severe” following reports Iran attacked commercial ships overnight.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial indications were that Iran had fired at two commercial vessels.