US confirms new attacks on Iran; Tehran accuses breach of ceasefire
According to CENTCOM, the attack was directed at vessels that were involved in laying underwater mines in areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the current truce, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed this Monday new military attacks in southern Iran.
“U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” said CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins. “Among the targets were missile launch platforms and Iranian vessels attempting to lay mines.”
The official added that US forces continue to “defend their troops while exercising restraint during the current ceasefire.”
As he explained, the operations included bombings against missile launch sites and Iranian vessels that, according to the CENTCOM version, were trying to place naval mines near the strategic sea route.
Fox News even cited senior US officials, who described that two Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels were detected while laying mines in waters near the Strait of Hormuz. The US military response included the destruction of both ships and an additional attack on an anti-aircraft battery located in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran.
Washington has accused Iran for months of using naval mines and maritime restrictions to pressure the United States and its allies.
International media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, a strategic port city near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials accused Washington of violating the ceasefire agreement, although the United States insisted the actions were defensive.
This new attack comes just a few days after Donald Trump announced that a US agreement with Iran was “practically negotiated,” which would include the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz continues to be a critical point because an important part of the world's energy supply passes through this route.