The ceasefire between the US and Iran was meant to provide a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent agreement, but indirect talks ended last week with no sign of progress.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's caskets were driven through the streets of Qom on Tuesday, where hundreds of thousands of people mourned his death, which occurred on the war's first day. The leadership used the mourning to show its control and strength.
On Tuesday, the US Central Command announced that it had begun a series of strikes intended to impose what it called 'heavy costs' on Iran for its 'demonstrated aggression.' The US military said its strikes targeted Iranian air defense systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles, and drone launch sites.
The US Treasury revoked a June 22 general license that allowed the sale of Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products through August 21. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the move as a breach of the framework agreement to end the war.
Iran's foreign ministry also said Qatar's accusations that Iran attacked three vessels, including a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker, were 'perplexing.' Qatar summoned Iran's deputy ambassador and handed him a protest note.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian was in Iraq to participate in the funeral ceremonies when US strikes on southern Iran began, Iranian state television reported.
Iran said it would take 'any measure it deems necessary' to safeguard its interests and national security after the US withdrawal of the oil license. Iran accused the US of 'bearing responsibility for the consequences' of its move.
US officials confirmed that strikes targeted Iranian air defense systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles, and drone launch sites. No civilian deaths were reported, but several people were injured by shrapnel from an 'enemy projectile' that hit a commercial pier in the southern port city of Sirik, on Qeshm Island, according to an Iranian state TV reporter.
Oil prices rose more than 3% after the US announced the move to withdraw the license. US officials said the US military was working in good faith to reach a final agreement with Iran on a permanent peace deal.
But the control of the Strait of Hormuz has given Tehran immense leverage, effectively allowing it to force a stalemate with the world's most powerful military. Analysts say Tehran uses attacks on ships to underscore that leverage as it negotiates a long-term peace deal with the US.
The incidents were only the latest threat to the ceasefire agreement the US and Iran struck last month, pausing the conflict that started in February with US and Israeli strikes across the Islamic Republic.