Arabic version: الولايات المتحدة تشن ضربات على إيران عقب هجمات الشحن

The United States has carried out new military strikes on Iran in response to a drone attack on a Panama-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. US Central Command (Centcom) reported that multiple targets were hit across Iran, including military equipment, communication systems, air defense sites, and drone storage facilities, as part of a reaction to what it described as “continued aggression” against commercial shipping. According to BBC News, the strikes were prompted by Iran’s violation of a ceasefire agreement.

Former President Donald Trump stated that the strikes were necessary due to Iran’s repeated breaches of the ceasefire deal. He suggested on Truth Social that the US may not be able to remain reasonable in the face of continued aggression from Tehran, warning that the Islamic Republic could face severe consequences.

Centcom emphasized that Iran had been given opportunities to comply with the ceasefire, which included a commitment to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels. The recent drone attack on the MT Kiku was cited as a direct violation of this agreement.

In a statement, Iran’s foreign ministry responded by claiming it had conducted its own strikes against targets linked to US forces, labeling the US actions as a violation of the ceasefire. The situation has escalated tensions in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas shipments.

The US had previously launched retaliatory strikes following a drone attack on another vessel, the MV Ever Lovely, on June 25. This series of events has led to increased scrutiny of Iran’s maritime activities and its compliance with international agreements regarding navigation in the Gulf region.