New Escalation of Tensions in the Middle East/ US Strikes 80 Iranian Targets, Tehran: Agreement Was Violated

Forces from the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) have launched a new wave of military strikes against Iran, hitting more than 80 targets with precision munitions in a fresh escalation of tensions between the two countries.

According to CENTCOM statements, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday and came as an immediate response to attacks Iran carried out against three merchant ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

US authorities described the Iranian action as a violation of the ceasefire and a threat to freedom of international navigation.

The targets hit included air defense systems, command and control centers, coastal radars, anti-ship missile capabilities, as well as more than 60 small naval craft of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, deployed in and near the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the US military, the aim of the operation was to weaken Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.

For its part, Tehran condemned the US strikes, calling them a violation of the ceasefire and warning that it would deliver a devastating response.

Iranian state media also reported that a series of explosions were heard in the area of the Strait of Hormuz.

The escalation comes as negotiations between the United States and Iran are still ongoing for a final agreement following the conflict of recent months.

Earlier, the US Treasury Department had also revoked a temporary sanctions waiver that allowed Iran to produce, sell and export crude oil until August 21, further increasing economic pressure on Tehran.