Desk News || The United States has launched intense retaliatory strikes on several key Iranian ports following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.After initially hitting fishing and commercial piers in the city of Sirik, powerful explosions were also heard near Iran's largest port, Bandar Abbas. Explosions were heard in the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik, as well as on Qeshm Island, with several people injured by shrapnel from the strike on the Sirik pier.The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) has officially claimed responsibility for the strikes. CENTCOM said the US military is targeting air defenses, coastal surveillance sites, surface-to-air missile sites, anti-ship cruise missile sites, drone launch sites, and port facilities, using Air Force jets and Navy tactical aircraft. These strikes come directly in response to Iran's attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier.CENTCOM has described Iran's attacks on the commercial ships as a clear violation of the ceasefire. A US official said the strikes were bigger than previous US retaliatory strikes against Iran, and that Iran would face heavy costs for targeting commercial shipping in an international waterway.