22 hrs ago
US Launches Strikes on Iran After Attacks on Bases
The United States says it has started attacking military targets connected to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
The US says this happened after attempted attacks on ships and American service members.
Iran had earlier fired missiles at two American bases in Jordan.
Jordan said it stopped eight of those missiles.
The UAE also said it stopped an Iranian drone near its waters.
A tanker near Oman reported being hit by unknown projectiles, but nobody was hurt.
The Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route, remains mostly closed.
Oil became more expensive because people worry that fighting could disrupt energy supplies.
Iran’s foreign minister called for the United States to return to earlier commitments and help end the conflict.
The US military said it began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran at 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Washington said the strikes followed attempted IRGC attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and US personnel in the region.
Iran launched missiles at two US bases in Jordan, with Jordan saying it intercepted eight missiles.
The UAE reported intercepting an Iranian drone, while a tanker near Oman’s Khasab reported being hit by three unknown projectiles.
Oil prices rose as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained limited and diplomatic efforts to reopen it failed.
- Who
- The United States, Iran and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are the main parties; Jordan, the UAE and other regional actors were also involved in reported incidents.
- What
- The US launched strikes against IRGC targets in Iran after attacks or attempted attacks involving US bases, shipping and regional airspace.
- Where
- The strikes occurred in Iran; related incidents involved the Strait of Hormuz, Jordan, UAE waters and waters near Khasab, Oman.
- When
- The strikes were announced Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET, after missile attacks on Jordan-based US facilities the previous day and a US strike on Larak Island.
- Why
- The US said it was responding to attempted IRGC attacks against commercial shipping and American service members.
US Position
Iranian Position
Reason for military action
US Position
The United States says its strikes are retaliation for attempted IRGC attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American personnel in the region.
Iranian Position
Iran’s foreign minister said Washington must return to its prior commitments and honor the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which he said the US violated.
Assessment of Iran’s condition
US Position
President Donald Trump described Iran as a failed or collapsing nation, claiming its leadership, military and economy had been severely damaged.
Iranian Position
An Iranian official dismissed Trump’s related claims about Kharg Island as laughable; Iran has continued responding militarily and demanding negotiations based on previous commitments.
Conflict and regional security
US Position
The US and its regional partners presented the missile, drone and shipping incidents as evidence of an escalating Iranian threat.
Iranian Position
Iran’s actions followed US and Israeli strikes, and Iranian officials have called for an end to the war and a return to agreed terms.
Key facts
- US strike announcement
- US Central Command said strikes on IRGC targets began at 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
- Iranian missile attack
- Jordan said its forces intercepted eight missiles fired at two US air bases in Jordan.
- Shipping incident
- A tanker reported being struck by three unknown projectiles while exiting the Strait of Hormuz near Khasab, Oman; no casualties or environmental damage were reported.
- Strait traffic
- Ship traffic fell to about five transits on Monday, compared with a 10-day average of roughly 14, according to Kpler data cited in the article.
- Oil prices
- Brent crude rose 0.6% to $91.05 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate gained 1% to $86.59.
- Diplomacy
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Washington to return to its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
- Earlier US strike
- The US said it struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island to prevent further mining of the shipping lane.
Quotes
U.S. Central Command
US military command responsible for operations in the region
“Today at 12 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran. The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region”
NDTV
indianexpress.com
“That doesn't mean we won't smack them. We'll see what happens.”
NDTV
Sources
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