US, Iran trade strikes: What to know, will it unravel the MoU?

US-Iran Confrontation Escalates Over Strait of Hormuz

A series of strikes took place between the United States and Iran on Friday, marking the first confrontation since a preliminary agreement was reached on June 15. The US Central Command stated that its aircraft targeted missile and drone storage locations and radar sites along Iran’s southern coastline in response to an attack on a commercial ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident occurred after a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel, Ever Lovely, was struck by an unknown projectile off Oman’s coast on Thursday. Iran did not acknowledge or deny the attack, but President Trump described it as “a foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement. The US military released a grainy video of an explosion labelled “unclassified,” stating that Iranian forces had violated the ceasefire and undermined freedom of navigation.

Iran responded by launching attacks against US military installations in the region, according to its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC warned that it would respond more extensively if there were repeated aggression. Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry condemned an alleged Iranian drone attack on its territory, describing it as a serious violation of sovereignty and international law.

The latest escalation has raised concerns about the collapse of the agreement between the two sides. The US military stated that it would continue to provide “safe passage coordination and support” to commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran maintains control over the waterway, which has become a key bargaining chip in negotiations with the US.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a global energy chokepoint. The situation remains fluid, with both sides trading blame and accusations.

Source: Al Jazeera