Arabic version: الجيش الأمريكي ينفذ ضربات على جزيرة قشم الإيرانية بعد هجوم على ناقلة نفط
The US military has initiated “self-defense” strikes on Qeshm Island, Iran, targeting military facilities in response to perceived threats from Iranian forces. According to BBC News, the strikes were part of a broader US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (Centcom) reported that the strikes were a direct response to attempted attacks by Iran on shipping and Gulf nations. Additionally, Centcom stated that it shot down ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran towards commercial vessels in the region.
In a related incident, Centcom confirmed it had struck an unladen oil tanker that was sailing towards Iran, after its crew allegedly ignored multiple warnings. The attack involved a Hellfire missile targeting the vessel’s engine room, part of the enforcement of the US blockade that began on April 13.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for attacks on US bases and helicopters in a regional country, framing their actions as retaliation for US military strikes on Iranian positions. The IRGC warned that any disruption to the security of the Strait of Hormuz would carry a heavy price for the aggressive US military.
Since the blockade’s implementation, Centcom has reported the disabling of six commercial vessels and the redirection of 122 others. The US military continues to monitor the situation closely as tensions in the region escalate.
