Overview
- Three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz were struck in attacks that U.K. maritime authorities and regional reports say included a Qatari LNG tanker and a Saudi crude tanker.
- U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces struck over 80 Iranian targets, including air‑defence systems, radars, command centers, anti‑ship missile sites and more than 60 IRGC small boats to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten shipping.
- Hours after the strikes, the U.S. Treasury revoked the 60‑day general licence that had allowed limited Iranian oil sales under the June 17 memorandum, effectively reinstating sanctions on Tehran’s exports.
- Iran acknowledged explosions, warned of retaliation and reportedly launched strikes toward Bahrain and Kuwait, while regional authorities raised the Strait of Hormuz transit threat level to 'severe'.
- Markets and supply chains reacted quickly: Brent and U.S. crude jumped, war‑risk insurance and shipping costs are likely to rise, and the fragile diplomatic track and talks on fully reopening the strait now face major uncertainty.