Iran Claims Strikes on Strait of Hormuz Vessels After US Launches Attacks
Iran says it struck ships in Strait – Following a series of US strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claims it targeted vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian state media reported the action as retaliation for the recent American military strikes. The US Central Command (Centcom) had initiated “self-defense strikes” on Wednesday, citing Iran’s “unwarranted and continued aggression” as the justification. These strikes are part of a broader escalation between the two nations, testing a fragile ceasefire that was agreed in April.
Escalation of Hostilities
Iran and the US have been exchanging attacks on military and surveillance facilities, marking a renewed phase of tit-for-tat strikes. Explosions were also reported on the island of Qeshm, along with Bandar Abbas and Sirik. Iranian state media declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely closed to all type of vessel” after the strikes, though Centcom emphasized that “commercial ships are continuing to transit in and out of the Strait of Hormuz.”
“We hit them hard yesterday and we’re going to hit them hard again today,” warned President Donald Trump hours before the latest US strikes. He accused Iranian leaders of “taking too long to negotiate a deal,” while the Iranian foreign ministry criticized the US for “damaging the diplomatic process through the contradictory message it sends.”
Diplomatic Stalemate
The April ceasefire, initially set for two weeks, has since seen intermittent clashes. Recent attempts to broker negotiations between Washington and Tehran have stalled, leading to increased military activity. On Tuesday, a US helicopter was shot down in an attack attributed to Iran, prompting the IRGC to retaliate by striking US bases across the Middle East. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that “bombs would be dropping on key facilities in Iran” if a peace deal wasn’t reached.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian vowed to “stand firm against any pressure or threat.” The ongoing conflict underscores the precarious balance between military confrontations and diplomatic efforts, with both sides remaining on high alert.
