In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were carried out on the orders of President Donald Trump.

CENTCOM said it had begun a third round of strikes against Iran this week following an attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship. The attack left one civilian crew member missing, caused extensive damage to the engine room, and sparked a fire on board, preventing the vessel from continuing its voyage.

CENTCOM said the strikes are intended to degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.