US targets Iranian missile, drone and radar sites after alleged attack on oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz…reports Asian Lite News Desk
US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced fresh American air strikes on Iranian military targets after accusing Tehran of once again violating the ceasefire agreement by attacking a commercial oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that the Islamic Republic “will no longer exist” if such attacks continue.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the latest strikes were ordered by President Trump after Iran allegedly launched a one-way attack drone that struck the Panama-flagged oil tanker M/T Kiku at around 4:30 a.m. ET while it was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said US aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities along with coastal radar installations.
“United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN! It is very possible that they will never learn!” Trump wrote.
He also issued a stern warning to Tehran, saying, “There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”
CENTCOM said Iran had been given an opportunity to comply with the ceasefire after Friday’s US strikes, which were launched in response to the alleged Iranian attack on the commercial vessel M/V Ever Lovely.
“After yesterday’s US strikes in response to the Iranian attack on M/V Ever Lovely, 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 M/T Kiku this morning at 4:30 a.m. ET,” the military command said in a statement.
It described the latest operation as a direct response to “continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping.”
According to CENTCOM, the strikes targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities.
“Commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue. US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready,” CENTCOM added.
The latest military action marks another escalation despite the ceasefire announced earlier this week after days of confrontation between the United States and Iran. Washington has repeatedly accused Tehran of threatening commercial shipping and maritime security in and around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
