US attacks Iran: “Ceasefire violation”
Explosions have been heard in coastal areas in southern Iran, reports the Iranian state-controlled Fars news agency.
The US military confirms that it has launched attacks in response to Iranian attacks on maritime traffic in the region.
A “series of powerful” attacks are being directed at Iran, the US military command Centcom said in a statement on X shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Swedish time.
According to the statement, the aim is to provide a tangible response to Iran’s attacks on “commercial vessels crewed by innocent civilians.”
“The US attacks are a response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unjustified, dangerous and a clear violation of the ceasefire,” writes Centcom.
Explosions in several places
Iran was earlier accused on Tuesday by Qatar and Saudi Arabia of having attacked the three ships.
Iran’s state radio and television company Irib stated that about an hour after the US attacks began that six explosions were heard on the island of Qeshm, seven in the city of Sirik and an as yet unclear number in the port city of Bandar Abbas.
Iran calls the attacks a violation of the memorandum of understanding between the countries.
Warning from Iran
“Iran issues a serious warning about the consequences of the US’s violation of the agreement and will take decisive measures to protect its interests and national security,” states Iran’s Foreign Ministry according to Irib.
The US attacks follow the US Treasury Department’s suspension of a waiver that temporarily lifted oil sanctions on Iran in mid-June.
The US targeted the same areas – Sirik and Qeshm – on the Strait of Hormuz in late June.
Formally, a ceasefire has been in place between the US and Iran since a memorandum of understanding to end the war was signed in mid-June.
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