US and Iran Trade Airstrikes, Each Side Accuses Other of Ceasefire Breach
The United States and Iran have exchanged airstrikes, with each side accusing the other of violating a ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month. The escalation began after a drone attack on a Panama-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
US Central Command (Centcom) said it struck multiple targets across Iran in response to what it described as 'continued aggression' against commercial shipping. The strikes targeted military equipment, communication systems, air defence sites, and drone storage facilities at ten locations in and near the Strait of Hormuz.
In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had launched missiles and drones at US infrastructure in Kuwait and Bahrain, including the Ali al-Salem base and the Fifth Naval Fleet in Port Salman. Iran stated it had 'destroyed' eight key pieces of infrastructure, but a US official told Reuters there were no reported US casualties or major damage to US facilities.
Both nations accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreed to in a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month. Centcom stated that Iran 'was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to when its forces launched a one-way attack drone that hit MT Kiku.' Iran's foreign ministry, in turn, blamed the 'treaty-breaking US regime' for the situation and warned that further violations 'will lead to a complete halt to the process.'
Kuwait and Bahrain reported activating their air defence systems to confront hostile missile and drone attacks. The Kuwaiti Armed Forces urged the public to adhere to security instructions, while Bahrain's Ministry of Interior called on citizens to 'remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.' Centcom said commercial vessels continue to operate in the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest strikes follow a pattern of retaliation. On Friday, the US launched strikes on Iran in response to a drone attack on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship on June 25. Iran said that ship was attacked because it used an unauthorised route. The US described its strikes as 'a powerful response' and said Iran's actions 'clearly violated the ceasefire.'
Former US President Donald Trump commented on social media, stating that Tehran may 'never learn' and warning that 'if that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist.' However, these remarks are not official US policy.
The situation remains tense, with both sides maintaining their positions and the international community watching for further developments.
