U.S. strikes Iran after attacks on vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Zoom in: A U.S. official said the targets included Iranian air-defense systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missile sites, drone launch sites and port facilities.

• The U.S. strikes on Tuesday were four or five times bigger in scope and power than the previous strikes in Hormuz 10 days ago, the U.S. official said.
• Iranian state media reported that explosions were heard in the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik, as well as on Qeshm Island.

Driving the news: Iran launched three separate attacks Monday and Tuesday against commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

• The attacks shattered a brief pause in hostilities that followed last month's MOU, which was aimed at restoring safe passage through the strait and launching nuclear talks.
• Shortly before the U.S. military retaliation, the Treasury Department announced it was revoking sanctions waivers that had allowed Iran to sell oil.

• Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. decision to revoke the sanctions waivers, saying in a statement that it breached the terms of the MOU.

What they're saying: CENTCOM said in a statement that the "powerful strikes" were aimed at imposing "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," CENTCOM said.

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.