U.S. Strikes Iranian Vessels in Strait of Hormuz, Iran Threatens Retaliation

The U.S. military carried out strikes against two Iranian vessels and missile-launch sites in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to statements from Iranian state media. Iranian officials described the U.S. action as a violation of an existing ceasefire and said the vessels were targeted while attempting to lay mines.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated it considers retaliation “legitimate and definite,” the IRNA state news agency reported Tuesday. Iran also said its forces shot down a U.S. drone and engaged a U.S. fighter jet during the exchange.

Hormuz remains closed to commercial traffic, causing the largest recorded disruption to global energy supplies, according to the International Energy Agency. The agency added that full economic effects of the closure are not expected until the end of the year.