The United States military has carried out fresh strikes on more than 80 Iranian targets. The operation was launched early Wednesday in direct response to attacks on commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Justifies Strikes to Defend International Waters
The US Central Command said the strikes aim to impose heavy costs on Iran.Tehran’s actions targeted commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway.
Three vessels were hit overnight near Oman. One tanker suffered a fire after being struck by an unknown projectile.At least one other vessel was attacked by a drone.Qatar confirmed one of the ships was its LNG tanker.Doha described the attack as unacceptable and blamed Iran.
The US Treasury Department revoked a temporary oil sanctions waiver hours before the strikes.The waiver had allowed Iran to produce, sell and deliver crude oil until August.US officials called Iran’s moves in the Strait wholly unacceptable.
They warned that such violations would face firm consequences.The US-Iran memorandum of understanding is performance-based, officials stressed. Tehran would see benefits only through demonstrated good behaviour.
Iran Retaliates and Warns of Further Escalation
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and army launched a joint missile and drone operation.They struck US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.The Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain’s Fifth Naval District was targeted.
Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait also came under attack. Iran claimed its air defences shot down a US MQ-9 drone.The interception took place over Khormoj in Bushehr province.
Iranian state media reported the drone was destroyed during what Tehran called aerial aggression. US authorities have not yet commented on the claim. Iran’s army said it had earlier targeted a US base in Jordan and 21 other sites in the Gulf.
The action responded to alleged US hostile aggression against military and civilian areas in southern Iran. Iran warned that all American bases in the region are now legitimate targets for its drones.
This would apply if Washington continues violating the ceasefire agreement.
Explosions Reported Across Southern Iran
Explosions rocked several areas of southern Iran on Wednesday morning. Six blasts were reported in the port city of Bandar Abbas.
Ten explosions were heard in Sirik. Four more occurred in Misin village on Qeshm Island. Iranian state television and Fars News Agency carried the reports.
Situation Remains Fluid
No casualties or damage have been confirmed at the sites so far.