US strikes new targets in Iran as Tehran retaliates against Gulf states, Hormuz shipping

The United States and Iran traded new military strikes on Tuesday, effectively killing the June 17 memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending their conflict. The latest US strikes hit Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province, including the city of Abadan, home to the oldest oil refinery in the Middle East, and the port city of Mahshahr, according to the deputy governor. Qeshm Island was also struck, the local governor's office said.

These attacks followed US strikes Monday night across Iran, including in Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, to "degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping," the US military said. A US official confirmed to Reuters that additional strikes were carried out on Tuesday to eliminate "emerging threats."

Iran retaliated by striking two tankers in Omani waters in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member, the United Arab Emirates reported. Iran also attacked Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan on Tuesday. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) acknowledged hitting two supertankers, claiming they were disabled after ignoring repeated warnings. The IRGC accused the US of "inciting vessels to use an illegal route" and warned that cooperation with the "aggressor enemy" would delay reopening the strait.

Qatar, a mediator, condemned the attacks on tankers, while Oman called on all parties to respect international law. The International Maritime Agency expressed concern, reporting that two seafarers had died, and urged an end to the "cycle of escalation." The IRGC also claimed an attack on US military facilities in Jordan, while Bahrain said it fended off an Iranian aerial attack. Later Tuesday, Kuwait reported engaging "hostile" aerial targets.

Amid the escalation, President Trump said he was scrapping a planned 20% levy on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, replacing it with trade deals with Gulf allies. Speaking from the White House, Trump accused Iran of firing first, saying "they shot first, and that was a big mistake."

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi accused the US of destroying the MoU and violating its obligations. He said Iran has no commitments under the MoU, including regarding the Strait of Hormuz, and that the US is mistaken if it thinks it can push Tehran back into negotiations by imposing a blockade.