US and Iran trade strikes amid claims of ceasefire violations
The US military launched new strikes against Iran after Tehran attacked an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, casting doubt on a provisional peace deal signed earlier this month.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said navy and air force jets targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities, and mine-laying capabilities. The strikes were a response to an Iranian one-way drone attack on the Panama-flagged M/T Kiku oil tanker as it transited near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
This marks the second round of US strikes this week. On Friday, the US struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar positions after an Iranian drone attack on the M/V Ever Lovely. CENTCOM stated that Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but chose not to.
In retaliation, Tehran accused Washington of violating the terms of their "memorandum of understanding" and launched missile and drone attacks on US infrastructure in Bahrain and Kuwait. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's national security commission, said the US strikes showed President Trump had "no commitment to the principles of negotiation or a ceasefire."
The renewed tensions cast further doubt on the provisional peace deal signed earlier this month. Under the agreement, the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire and to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas transit chokepoint. The US is required to remove its naval blockade of Iran, while Tehran must reopen the Strait and reaffirm it will not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The agreement gives the two countries 60 days to reach a final deal.
