Iran pushed back hard after the United States launched airstrikes on Iran, citing attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Agence France-Presse, Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement released shortly after the U.S. strikes that "Iran sternly warns of the consequences of the United States' violations and will take resolute measures to protect national interests and national security."
The ministry also pushed back against the United States' earlier move to revoke a sanctions waiver for sales of Iranian oil, calling it a violation of the "Islamabad MOU" for ending the war and saying the United States must bear responsibility for the consequences.
U.S. Central Command said it launched powerful airstrikes against Iran in response to Iran's attacks on merchant ships in international waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military said the action was "to exact a heavy price for targeting and attacking a merchant ship with innocent civilians on board in international waters," adding, "Iran's attacks are not only dangerous but a clear violation of the cease-fire."
The U.S. Treasury Department also revoked a sanctions waiver for sales of Iranian oil the same day for the same reason. After signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to end the war, the United States had allowed the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil for 60 days during follow-up talks.
Immediately after the U.S. announcement of the strikes, Iranian media reported a series of explosions in the southern Strait of Hormuz area. According to state-run IRIB, six explosions were heard on Qeshm Island and seven in Sirik, and multiple explosions were detected in the port city of Bandar Abbas.