US forces launched strikes Tuesday against Iran's Revolutionary Guards in response to attempted attacks on commercial shipping and American forces, the US military said.

The strikes -- which began at 12:00 pm (1600 GMT) -- came after "recent attempted attacks by (the Guards) against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region," US Central Command said on X.

After six months of war, the foes remain at an impasse, with Iran keeping the strategic Strait of Hormuz closed and the United States persisting with a counter-blockade of Iranian ports.

On Sunday, the United States carried out its first known strikes on Iran in several weeks, hitting an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran quickly retaliated by attacking US military targets in the Middle East.

Washington said its forces attacked Iranian rocket launchers on the island of Larak to prevent Tehran planting mines in the key shipping lane.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks aimed at Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, saying they targeted US forces there.

US President Donald Trump vowed at the time to "hit them hard," telling a Fox News reporter that "there will be a response."