By Samuel Olusegun Precious
The United States military has confirmed carrying out strikes against Iran for the sixth consecutive night, as tensions escalate over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command, Centcom, in a statement, said the attacks were aimed at “further degrading Iranian military capabilities.” Centcom also confirmed it had boarded a vessel in the Gulf of Oman as part of a renewed blockade of Iranian ports.
Iranian state media reported that US strikes hit civilian infrastructure including bridges, a train station, and Iranshahr Airport in southeastern Iran.
An international news outlet being monitored by our correspondent, has verified an attack on a bridge west of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province. Seven people were reportedly killed.
Iran Retaliates
On its part, the Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, IRGC, said they retaliated by striking US maritime surveillance radar sites in Oman, as well as targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and a US special operations command centre at al-Tanf in Syria.
The IRGC added that the Syria strike was in response to the killing of Iranian soldiers two days ago. Jordan’s military said it shot down three Iranian missiles on Friday with no casualties.
Kurdish forces in Iraq also reported shooting down eight drones over Erbil.
Strait Of Hormuz Shut, Oil Concerns Rise
In the meantime, The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed after Tehran blocked it in response to US-Israeli strikes. The closure has disrupted oil flows from the region.
Reactions
Head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, warned:
“We should be worried, and I am worried, if the situation does not improve in the next few weeks.”
China and Pakistan’s foreign ministers have called for both the US and Iran to cease hostilities and return to negotiations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump remains open to diplomacy, but “will hold them accountable” for attacks on shipping.
Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Tehran has “no reason” to abide by any deal that does not serve its interests, and that national security depends on “Iranian arrangements” in the Strait.
ExceedFM can report that at least 38 people have been killed and more than 400 injured in Iran since fighting resumed, according to the country’s health ministry.
This is a developing story. ExceedFM News will keep you updated.
