New Delhi: There was a time when it seemed that relations between the US and Iran would improve, potentially ushering in peace in the Middle East. However, following a brief period of quiet talks, the situation has deteriorated once again. The US has resumed attacks against Iran, and Iran is retaliating in kind.
The Iranian military is targeting US military bases in neighbouring countries. Following the burial of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, the situation is expected to worsen further. Iran has issued a stern warning to the US, stating that any interference in the Strait of Hormuz would be met with a crushing response. The IRGC warned that if US attacks continue, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to normal, causing economic losses for many nations.
Iran Warns the US
Iran informed the Fars News Agency that the US had launched a cruise missile attack on a strategic railway bridge in northern Iran linked to China and Russia. Over the past two days, the US has conducted missile and drone strikes on more than 170 Iranian military targets.
According to US Central Command, the attacks targeted air defence systems, drone and missile stockpiles, military speedboats, and military bases located in coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
Updates on the Tensions
In the last two days, the US has struck more than 80 Iranian targets. Late Tuesday night, the US military carried out airstrikes on over 80 locations in Iran. The US stated that this action was in retaliation for Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump made a significant statement at the NATO summit, declaring that the ceasefire agreement with Iran is now completely dead. He warned that he no longer wishes to pursue any kind of deal with Iran.
Iran Makes Major Claim
Following US attacks, Iran also launched strikes targeting US military bases. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed to have attacked 85 US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait using missiles and drones; the US Fifth Fleet headquarters and the Ali Al-Salem Air Base are reportedly among the targets.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that no talks or agreements with the US would take place in an atmosphere of threats; the US would first need to honour existing agreements. According to CNN, amidst rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian-flagged tanker ‘Leela Vadinar’ carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil from Kuwait turned back from the coast of Oman near the Strait on Wednesday.
