The fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran faced one of its sharpest tests yet after the U.S. military struck more than 80 Iranian targets early Wednesday, in response to attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier.
U.S. Central Command said the strikes hit air defences, radar sites, anti-ship missile positions, and small boats linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The attacked vessels included a Qatari LNG tanker; Qatar and Saudi Arabia condemned the incidents as attacks on international shipping.
Hours before the strikes, the U.S. Treasury revoked a license that had allowed Iran to sell oil on world markets through August 21, calling the ceasefire framework “entirely performance-based.”
The strikes came as President Trump attended a NATO summit in Turkey.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected the U.S. justification, accusing Washington of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and warning it would take “whatever measures necessary” to protect its interests.
Global oil prices jumped following the news, with Brent crude rising amid renewed fears of Gulf shipping disruptions.
Also Read: Senate says federal police will intervene in electoral intimidation scenarios
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.