The United States launched a series of strikes against Iranian targets early Wednesday after three merchant ships were struck in waters off Oman.In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) blamed Iran for the attacks and said the strikes were intended to impose “heavy costs” on Tehran for targeting “innocent civilians in an international waterway.““US Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway,” CENTCOM posted on its social media handle.“The US strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire,” it added.(This is a developing story)