Tensions in the Middle East have escalated again as the US military launched operations targeting Iranian military sites in retaliation for an attack on a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump pointed out that Tehran violated the agreement.
The US Central Command revealed that the military struck missile depots, unmanned aerial vehicle storage, and coastal radar stations in Iran last Friday. CENTCOM stated the operation was a response to a drone attack on a merchant ship last Thursday, which led to the suspension of evacuation plans for over 11,000 crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz area.
The US military stated the attack on the commercial vessel was a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement and threatened freedom of navigation along one of the world's most important international trade routes.
They also confirmed ongoing coordination efforts to ensure the safety of all commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian government explained that the merchant ship was attacked because it used an unauthorized shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) condemned the US as the violator of the agreement, stating that the US used the maritime incident as a pretext to launch attacks on Iran's coast.
The IRGC also claimed that Iran's naval forces responded by attacking US bases in the region but did not provide further details. The US Department of Defense has yet to comment on these claims.
They warned that if the US launches another attack, Iran will respond more broadly and more forcefully than before.
This tension arises despite the US and Iran having recently reached a 14-point memorandum of understanding on 17 June aimed at ending hostilities.
A key element of the agreement is Iran's commitment to fully ensure safe commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with no tolls or fees charged for 60 days.
However, the recent attack on the merchant ship has raised concerns that the agreement may be starting to unravel.
Following the US strikes, US Vice President J.D. Vance posted on platform X that if Iran disputes the interpretation of the memorandum, it should use negotiations rather than violence. He added that violence would be met with violence.
President Trump, speaking at the White House, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the recent attack on the merchant ship. He accused Iran of foolishly violating the ceasefire agreement and warned that violence will be met with violent retaliation.
Ebrahim Asisi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Commission, posted on social media that the US has launched another attack on Iran despite ongoing negotiations.
He stated that this reckless violation of the ceasefire agreement will cause the US to face consequences similar to past experiences and emphasized that blaming others will no longer be effective.
Previously, Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz following US and Israeli operations in late February, causing global oil prices to surge and affecting the transport of natural gas and key commodities like fertilizer.
In recent days, the US government confirmed that negotiations with Iran are progressing well, and Iran has promised not to charge tolls for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, some Iranian officials insist that management of the Strait will not return to the pre-war status quo.
The attacked merchant ship, Ever Lovely, flies the Singapore flag. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the vessel was hit by gunfire approximately 7.5 nautical miles southeast of the port of Duqm, Oman.
The owner of Ever Lovely confirmed that the ship was following the route recommended by UKMTO and that all crew, the ship, and its cargo remain safe.
Nevertheless, the incident forced the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to temporarily suspend evacuation plans for over 11,000 crew members stranded along this vital shipping route.
. . .BBC
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