The U.S. and Iran are exchanging punches after an attack on tankers in the Ormuz Strait

On July 7, the US responded armedly to attacks on three tankers in the Ormuz Strait. American strikes included targets related to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, and Tehran responded with attacks on U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

U.S. attacks on tankers

CENTCOM reported on Tuesday that US forces attacked over 80 targets related to Iranian military structures. Among them were to be over 60 small boats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps operating in the area of the Ormuz Strait.

The communication indicated that the impacts also included Iranian missile launchers and command centers. However, the Americans did not give the exact location of all targets attacked.

Washington justified the action by having to respond to attacks on three tankers. The U.S. website described them as "totally unacceptable" and announced the consequences for actions aimed at commercial vessels on international shipping routes.

According to the latest reports on one of the attacked tankers, there was a fire off the Oman coast. There's no record of any fatalities. However, the incident itself shows that neither party intends to let go, and the Strait of Ormuz remains the most sensitive point of the current crisis.

Iran reports impact on its territory

The Iranian state media reported that the American attacks included the island of Keshm and the towns of Bandar Abbas and Sirik. According to these reports, shrapnel was supposed to cause injuries to civilians.

At the same time, Iran did not directly admit attacks on three tankers, which became the direct cause of the American armed forces.

CENTCOM stated that the purpose of the operation was to "impose high costs" for targeting and attacking commercial ships whose crews are made up of civil sailors.

IRGC Response: Attacks on U.S. Objects in Bahrain and Kuwait

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that on Wednesday morning it carried out retaliatory strikes on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

The Iranian formation reported that missiles and drones were directed against "85 key U.S. military facilities" in both countries. Among the objectives was the command U.S. Navy and the Kuwait Air Base.

The dispute over the memorandum and oil penalties

On Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran identified American strikes as violating a memorandum signed last month by the US and Iran. He also warned that Tehran "will take decisive measures".

Tension has already increased before the attacks when the U.S. Treasury Department revoked its release from oil sanctions against Iran. It was part of a memorandum between Washington and Tehran.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered this decision to be a breach of the agreement. The Resort stated that the US movement confirms "action in bad faith, inconsistency and lack of credibility" of the American administration.

Attack on tankers and exchange of punches

After another blow exchange between the US and Iran, an attack on tankers in Ormuz Strait is no longer just a marine incident. He once again showed that global oil and gas transport in this area remains at the mercy and disfavor of Tehran.

In such circumstances, a quick return to the truce seems unlikely. For shipowners, ship crews and energy security, this means one thing: each subsequent crossing this route will be assessed not only by risk at sea, but also by the possibility of further hitting both sides of the Persian Gulf.