WASHINGTON: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says it has launched a new series of military strikes against Iran, stating that the operation was ordered by the U.S. president following an alleged attack on a Cyprus-flagged container ship.
According to a CENTCOM statement, the action came after what it described as an attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the commercial vessel.
CENTCOM said one member of the ship’s crew is missing following the incident. It added that a fire broke out aboard the vessel and the engine room sustained severe damage, leaving the ship unable to continue its voyage.
The U.S. military command further stated that Iran had previously been given opportunities to change its conduct following earlier incidents involving attacks on commercial shipping and to comply with a memorandum of understanding (MoU), but alleged that Tehran had failed to do so.
CENTCOM said the latest military action was being carried out under the direction of the U.S. president.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported receiving information about a maritime security incident approximately nine nautical miles east of Oman. The agency did not immediately provide further details about the nature of the incident.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.
According to Iranian media, the IRGC said a vessel had attempted to transit through an unauthorized route, prompting warning shots. The statement added that no ships would be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.
The IRGC also warned that if any adversary used the incident as a pretext for military action, Iran would respond forcefully.
The developments mark a significant escalation in tensions in the strategically important Gulf region. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints, with a substantial share of global oil and gas shipments passing through the waterway.
About The Author
