Kathmandu – Iran and the United States have exchanged fresh military attacks despite signing an interim peace agreement last week, marking the most serious violation of the ceasefire so far.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it had launched retaliatory strikes against US military bases in West Asia in response to recent American airstrikes on Iran’s southern coast. However, Tehran did not disclose the locations targeted.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said Iran carried out a drone attack on the country early Saturday. Bahrain condemned the strike as a violation of its sovereignty and international law.
The latest escalation follows US airstrikes on Friday targeting Iranian missile and drone facilities as well as radar installations along the country’s coastline. The US Central Command said the operation was launched in retaliation for Thursday’s attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington blamed on Iran.
Both countries have accused each other of violating the interim peace agreement signed last week. US President Donald Trump described the attack on the cargo vessel as a breach of the deal.
Although the agreement called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has continued to maintain control over the strategic waterway.
The International Maritime Organization has suspended its operation to assist vessels in the area saying it will not resume until the safety of ships can be guaranteed.
Negotiations on the remaining terms of the agreement including the future of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz are continuing. Trump has warned that Iran’s existence would be at risk if violations of the ceasefire continue.
