US strikes Iran after attacks on merchant ships

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The US military launched strikes against Iran early Wednesday after three merchant ships were struck off Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that risks undermining an interim deal made last month. US Central Command said the strikes were meant to impose heavy costs for attacks on commercial shipping crewed by civilians, while both Washington and Tehran said the reprisals violated the ceasefire. Hours after the tankers were struck, the United States revoked a license that had authorized Iranian oil sales under the interim deal. The UN said the day’s attacks were the most since late April, threatening traffic and complicating diplomacy.

US strikes followed attacks on three merchant ships near the Strait of Hormuz.