Three merchant ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz were attacked by Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) drones and missiles. Attacked ships include Qatar's giant LNG (LNG) transport ship Al Rekayyat (which was precisely struck by a drone above its engine room and caused a fire, forcing the crew to abandon the ship collectively) and Saudi Arabia's super large crude oil tanker Wedyan. The conflict was triggered by Oman's attempt to open a new shipping route close to the Oman coast, free from safe tolls, and Iran's attempt to cover its high cost of security maintenance by imposing strait tolls and use it as a bargaining chip with the United States.

In response, US Central Command (CENTCOM) quickly carried out large-scale retaliatory airstrike, accurately destroying more than 80 military targets within Iran, including anti-aircraft missile defense systems, coastal radar surveillance stations, drone launch sites, and more than 60 small patrol boats by IRGC. Meanwhile, the US Treasury quickly announced the lifting of the temporary oil sanctions exemption from General License issued in June, and reimposed a severe blockade on the origin, delivery and sales of Iranian oil.