Kathmandu – US has launched a major military strike against Iran after three commercial vessels were attacked in the maritime corridor Strait of Hormuz.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation was carried out to make Iran “pay a heavy price” for targeting commercial ships carrying civilians in international waters.
The strikes came during the funeral of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the early stages of the war. The latest escalation is expected to complicate the ongoing negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, limiting Iran’s nuclear programme and ending the conflict since February 28.
International media reported that the US strikes hit Qeshm island, Bandar Abbas and the city of Sirik. Iranian media said powerful explosions were heard in the affected areas and several people were injured although no deaths have been reported so far.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister condemned the attacks as a direct violation of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries last month and warned that Tehran would deliver a decisive response.
CENTCOM however maintained that Iran’s actions were unprovoked and constituted a clear breach of the ceasefire.
Before launching the strikes, the US Treasury revoked the temporary sanctions relief that had allowed Iran to sell oil and petroleum products under the 14-point agreement reached between Washington and Tehran on June 17. Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of violating the agreement, saying the move demonstrated the US government’s bad faith, instability and unreliability.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia also condemned the attacks on oil tankers transiting the Gulf. The agreement signed last month had extended the ceasefire between the two sides and included commitments to end the conflict on all fronts prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and establish a $300 billion fund for Iran’s reconstruction and economic development.
Following the latest US military action, global crude oil prices rose sharply. After the attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz Washington re-imposed restrictions on Iran’s oil trade raising concerns over energy supplies.
US crude oil prices climbed 2.7 percent to $72.40 per barrel while investor concerns over inflation and the prospect of higher interest rates also pushed down prices of 10-year US Treasury bonds.
