U.S. Strikes Iran Over Attack on Hormuz Ship

The United States conducted airstrikes against Iran on July 20, 2024, targeting facilities used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in response to recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes were authorized by President Joe Biden and aimed to degrade Iran's capacity to conduct such attacks. A statement from the White House indicated that Iran's actions constituted a violation of the cease-fire agreement that had been in place. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that multiple IRGC facilities were struck, including drone and missile storage sites. This action follows a series of drone and missile attacks attributed to Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen against international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which the U.S. views as proxies for Iran. The Pentagon stated that the strikes were intended to deter future aggression and protect freedom of navigation in a critical global waterway. U.S. officials emphasized that the operation was defensive in nature and designed to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the region.