US President Donald Trump formally notified Congress last week that the United States had resumed military operations against Iran, according to a July 10 letter cited by several US media outlets on Monday.
In the letter addressed to congressional leaders, the White House said US military operations began on July 7 after Iran allegedly attacked multiple commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on July 6 and 7 despite commitments made under a June 17 memorandum of understanding.
The White House said the agreement required Iran to use its “best efforts” to arrange the safe passage of commercial vessels traveling from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman.
“Despite this commitment, Iran again attacked several neutral-flagged commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz between July 6-7, 2026,” Trump wrote.
Trump said US forces responded with what he described as “defensive strikes” against targets inside Iran, including missile launch sites, air defense systems, maritime military assets, support infrastructure, and command-and-control facilities.
“United States ground forces are not involved in these strikes,” Trump said, adding that the attacks were “limited, measured, planned, and executed in a manner designed to minimize civilian casualties.”
The letter also warned that US forces remained prepared to take further action “as necessary and appropriate” in response to additional threats or attacks against the United States and its allies.
Earlier Monday, Trump announced that Washington was reinstating what he called an “Iranian blockade” and proposed imposing a 20 percent fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for US protection.
US Central Command later said the blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports would resume Tuesday, while ships not violating the restrictions would still be allowed to transit.
The latest developments came amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, despite a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding intended to halt hostilities and pursue a broader peace agreement.
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