Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jun 28: The US military has struck 10 targets in Iran following orders from President Donald Trump, escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf despite an ongoing ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
The US Central Command said American military aircraft targeted Iranian military facilities, including surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities and mine-laying capabilities.
The strikes were carried out after Iranian forces allegedly attacked a merchant vessel early Saturday. The US later said the operation targeted 10 Iranian military locations in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump, in a post on social media platform Truth Social, said the US had targeted Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites, accusing Tehran of violating the ceasefire agreement.
Trump warned that if Iran continued its actions, the US could be forced to take further military action.
“If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist,” Trump said.
The latest exchange has raised fears that the conflict could spiral again despite an interim agreement between Iran and the US aimed at negotiating a broader deal to end hostilities.
According to the US military, Iranian forces attacked the oil tanker Kiku with a one-way drone while it was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz. The US said the strikes were a response to the attack.
The vessel had reportedly departed from a Qatari oil field and was heading towards a port in the United Arab Emirates. It appeared to be using an alternative maritime route near Oman instead of the route passing through Iranian waters.
A maritime body overseen by the US Navy announced plans to expand the Omani route to allow both inbound and outbound traffic, a move that could increase tensions with Tehran.
Iranian state television reported explosions in an area north of the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had targeted locations belonging to the “US terrorist army” in the region.
Bahrain also condemned an alleged Iranian drone attack earlier on Saturday, saying several Iranian drones targeted the country and describing it as a threat to the safety of citizens and residents. No immediate damage was reported.
Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, has been among the strongest critics of Iran. The country recently hosted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers’ meeting, where members called for an end to Iranian attacks and demanded free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Vice President JD Vance, who has been leading negotiations with Iran, said disagreements over the ceasefire should be addressed through dialogue, but warned that violence would be met with violence.
The US and Iran are negotiating issues including safe passage of ships through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear programme and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Under the interim agreement, both sides have 60 days to finalise details.
Meanwhile, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre reported that a tanker came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, though the crew remained safe and no environmental damage was reported.
The Joint Maritime Information Center warned of a significant threat to shipping in the region, saying vessels should be aware of possible mines and expect naval operations as clearance efforts continue.
The International Maritime Organisation has paused a new evacuation effort for ships until safety guarantees are provided. Around 115 vessels have reportedly managed to leave the strait in recent days.