The US bombs Iran after three ships were hit in Hormuz and Tehran responds with attacks on American bases in Kuwait and Bahrain

On July 8, 2026, the United States launched airstrikes against Iran following attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred just over two weeks after the U.S. and Iran signed a digital Memorandum of Understanding aimed at establishing a peace agreement. According to reports, the U.S. Central Command confirmed that its forces had initiated a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose significant costs for directing and attacking civilian crews on international waters. Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Sirik, all located in the southern province of Hormozgan near the Strait of Hormuz. This area holds strategic importance due to its military and communication significance around the strait. The Pentagon stated that the attacks were in response to Iranian actions against three commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. They described Iran's aggression as unjustified, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement. A statement from the Pentagon emphasized the fragile nature of the situation and the temporary nature of the agreement reached under pressure. In response to the U.S. airstrikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed they attacked dozens of U.S. installations in Bahrain and Kuwait. According to a statement from the state television network IRIB, the operation involved joint efforts by naval and aerospace forces using missiles and drones, targeting 85 U.S. military facilities in these countries. Additionally, the IRGC reportedly shot down an MQ-9 drone during the attacks. Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed support for the U.S. response to Iran's attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He criticized the U.S. airstrikes conducted early in the morning, which left several injured in the south of the country, as a "clear violation" of the permanent ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran signed in June. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has been central to the peace negotiations, which, although seen as a significant step forward, still left many issues unresolved. Both sides committed to removing naval blockades, allowing free navigation without tolls or inspections, and facilitating the normalization of the oil market after months of restrictions. However, tensions remain high despite these commitments. One of the targeted oil tankers was struck by a projectile while sailing off the coast of Oman, according to the British maritime agency Maritime Trade Operations. Iranian state television claimed the liquefied natural gas vessel was attacked after ignoring warnings but did not directly attribute the attack. The other two ships suffered some damage, though no one was injured, and both continued their journeys, as reported by the Spanish news agency EFE. Before the U.S. president arrived in Turkey for a meeting with NATO leaders, the administration considered how to respond to the IRGC's attacks on the vessels. The first step, approved by the Treasury Department, was to revoke in the afternoon of Tuesday the suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil exports, which had been a major concession in the negotiation. However, shortly afterward, the White House authorized more severe measures. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran condemned the decision to revoke the license, stating in a statement that the move violates the provisional agreement and that the U.S. government will bear responsibility for the consequences of this breach of the agreement.