U.S. forces are carrying out "powerful" airstrikes against Iran in response to earlier Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command announced.

U.S. Central Command forces began launching a series of strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway. The strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night.

According to two U.S. officials, tonight's airstrikes targeted port facilities, missile and drone sites, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense sites. These strikes are expected to be much larger in scope and scale than the U.S. attacks on Iran in late June. Last month's strikes were also launched in response to Iranian aggression in the Strait of Hormuz, but officials stated that the more limited military action then was designed to avoid upending a memorandum of understanding signed between the U.S. and Iran.

The U.S. also revoked a license that authorized the sale of Iranian oil under the memorandum of understanding, following the tanker attacks. This move, coupled with the airstrikes, signals a significant escalation in tensions.

Iran's deputy foreign minister condemned the U.S. strikes, calling them a serious violation of the memorandum of understanding. In a statement published by the FARS news agency, the deputy minister warned of decisive measures to protect national interests and security, and highlighted the consequences of America's breach of the treaty. Iranian officials also criticized the U.S. government's decision to revoke the oil sale license.

Earlier on Monday, the third tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by a projectile, according to the UK. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also condemned the alleged Iranian attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump had announced major combat operations against Iran on February 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government, and infrastructure sites. Delegations from the U.S. and Iran entered negotiations last month aimed at a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries. Despite the signing of the memorandum and ongoing peace talks, the U.S. and Iran exchanged limited strikes in late June.

These recent developments indicate a breakdown in de-escalation efforts, with both nations engaging in military action despite ongoing diplomatic processes aimed at reaching a peace agreement. The scope and intensity of the current U.S. airstrikes suggest a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Iran.