(Agencies): The British Maritime Trade Operations Authority reported that a tanker was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, after the United States and Iran exchanged attacks in the worst escalation since they signed the interim agreement. !
The two countries exchanged accusations of violating the agreement they reached about two weeks ago to end the conflict that has been going on for four months. Washington said it struck Iranian targets overnight, while Iran announced it struck targets linked to US forces yesterday in response. !
Yesterday, the tanker was targeted in the strait following an attack on a cargo ship on Thursday, which led to an escalation of the situation. !
The British Maritime Trade Operations Authority (UKMTO) said it had received “a report of an incident in the Strait of Hormuz.” The captain of an oil tanker reported that he was injured by an unknown projectile.” She pointed out that “the command bridge was damaged, and all crew members are fine, and no environmental damage has been recorded so far.” !
The British maritime security company Vanguard Tech explained that the oil tanker that was hit was named “Kiko” and was flying the Panama flag. !
The Joint Maritime Information Center, which is run by a coalition of naval forces to protect navigation, said that it had raised the level of the security threat as a result of the recent incidents.
Iran has not commented directly on reports of specific attacks on ships. But Iranian state television reported that the Revolutionary Guard fired “warning shots” toward unspecified ships that attempted to pass through routes not approved by Iran. He added that this matter has now prompted other ships to request Iranian permits before attempting to cross the strait. !
Earlier, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that the country launched “defensive” attacks on military targets linked to the United States.
Iranian state television said that the Revolutionary Guards issued a “firm response” after American forces bombed a communications tower in the coastal city of Sirik. Mehr News Agency reported that the port was operating normally and no damage to facilities or equipment had been reported. !
Iran accused the United States of violating the interim agreement, specifically by not adhering to a ceasefire pledge in Lebanon, which Israel invaded in March to pursue the Tehran-backed Hezbollah group. !
Mohsen Rezaei, advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, said that the United States violated the memorandum of understanding to end the war by supporting what he called proxies in the region and raising tension in the Strait of Hormuz. !
Washington is promoting a southern route along the coast of Oman, while Tehran wants ships to take a northern route through its waters and under its control, as it ultimately aims to impose fees on the use of the strait. !
Ibrahim Azizi, Chairman of the National Security Committee of the Islamic Shura Council, said yesterday that his country will respond firmly to any violation of Iran’s instructions related to navigation through the Strait. !
In turn, J. said: D. US Vice President Vance said that the Americans adhered to the ceasefire agreement, also called the memorandum of understanding, and that Iran would be responsible for any renewal of the conflict that might result from its actions. !
“Iran signed the ceasefire agreement,” Vance wrote on the X platform. We committed to it. If they have objections to how the Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented, they can contact us by phone. But violence will be met with violence.” !
In turn, the US Central Command (Centcom) said in statements to Al Arabiya that it will not ignore Iranian attacks on commercial ships.
Centcom stated that it is working to increase ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
She said: “We are following up on coordination and support for commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” stressing that America will not allow Iran to attack ships.
