The new wave of attackswhich according to the US military targeted “Iranian military surveillance centers, communication systems and air defense facilities”, was launched after the president donald trump accuse Tehran of dragging out negotiations to stop the war that broke out on February 28.
“We were really close to an agreement, but they keep dragging us out, they keep taking us for idiots“, the Republican president complained to the press on Wednesday.
The US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegsethreproached Iran for “play cat and mouse“in conversations.”If we have to negotiate with bombs, we will negotiate with bombs, and we are very good at that”, he threatened.
The United States and Iran had already attacked each other between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, despite a ceasefire which came into force on April 8 after more than five weeks of hostilities.
Iranian media reported that explosions were heard early this Thursday on the island of Qeshm, in Minab, Sirik and in the port of Bandar Abbas, in the south of the country.
In retaliation for these latest US attacks, the Guardians of the RevolutionIran’s ideological army, claimed to have launched drones against military bases of Ali al Salem and Ahmad al Jaber in Kuwait, as well as against an air facility in Bahrain.
The Iranian press had also announced an attack on the headquarters of the US 5th Fleet in that last Gulf country.
Air warning sirens were activated in Bahrain, according to the Ministry of the Interior. In Kuwaitthe army announced that it was “combating hostile air targets” and the civil aviation authority closed the emirate’s airspace.
Likewise, the Iranian Guardians claimed to have launched 12 ballistic missiles against the Al Azrak base in Jordan, used by the United States.
Tehran also warned that its forces would attack any ship attempting to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas trade normally transits.
Read more: Iran shoots down US helicopter in Hormuz: strong warning from Trump
“Hell for you”
“Following repeated ceasefire violations by the American enemy, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until further notice“, reported the Guardians of the Revolutioncited by state television.
“No ship should leave its anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. “Any approach to the Strait of Hormuz will be considered collaboration with the enemy,” they warned.
The Iranian Navy, cited by the country’s media, even reported that “two ships that were trying to illegally cross” that route were “attacked.”
“Are you endangering the sacred Strait of Hormuz?! We will make this region a hell for you,” threatened the commander of the Guardians’ aviation. Sardar Mousavi.
Washington, which for its part imposes a blockade of Iranian portsdenied any Hormuz blockade.
“FACT: Commercial ships continue transiting the strait tonight“, wrote on the social network United States Military Command for the Middle East (Centcom).
This worsening of the situation in the Gulf continues to fuel the increase in oil prices.
On Thursday morning, a barrel of North Sea Brent, the world’s benchmark, rose 1.7% to $94.68, while US WTI rose 2% to $91.84.
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Lebanese on Wednesday to join the Jewish State’s fight against Hezbollah, stating that their country has been “taken hostage” by that pro-Iranian Islamist group.
Following Israeli bombings on Beirut, first Iran and then Israel carried out reciprocal attacks on Sunday and Monday, for the first time since the April 8 truce came into force.
Tehran demands that Lebanon, where Hezbollah has been fighting Israel since March 2, be included in any agreement to end the war in the Middle East.
More than 3,600 people have died in Lebanon in Israeli bombings since the start of the war.
