The United States Central Command announced Tuesday that American forces have launched a series of strikes against targets in Iran, citing the need to impose costs on Tehran for attacking civilian shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out in direct response to Iranian attacks earlier this week on three commercial vessels passing through the strait, an international waterway critical to global energy trade. Among the affected ships were tankers flagged by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. CENTCOM described Iran’s conduct as “unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire,” and said the U.S. response was meant to protect civilian crews operating in the waterway.

Footage circulating Tuesday showed extensive U.S. Air Force activity over the strait as the strikes on southern Iran got underway, underscoring the scale of the operation.

The tanker attacks mark the latest breach of the memorandum of understanding Iran signed with Washington in June, under which Tehran committed to ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels through Hormuz. Since the deal was signed, shipping traffic through the strait has picked up, though it remains well below prewar levels, with many vessels opting for a southern route near Oman’s coast under U.S. Navy protection. Iranian forces have repeatedly targeted ships using that route, saying vessels must instead obtain permission to travel through corridors approved by Tehran.

Following the tanker attacks, the U.S. Treasury Department moved to revoke a waiver that had permitted Iran to sell oil and petrochemicals abroad, cutting off a significant revenue stream negotiated as part of the recent talks. A U.S. official said the ceasefire arrangement with Iran “is entirely performance-based,” adding that Iran would only see benefits from the deal “if they exhibit good behavior,” and warning that Tehran’s actions in the strait “will be met with consequences.”

President Trump has said the U.S. will “finish the job” should a lasting agreement with Iran fail to materialize. Iran’s foreign minister has said Tehran will not return to the negotiating table if American threats continue.