Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Thursday the fresh US attacks against Iran have rendered an April ceasefire between the two sides “ineffective.”
In a phone call with European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Thursday, Araghchi strongly condemned the recent US “aggression,” describing it as a “flagrant violation” of the United Nations Charter and international law.
He also said the United States is responsible for the “dangerous” consequences of its attacks, Xinhua news agency reported.
The US Central Command said early Thursday its forces had completed additional strikes against multiple Iranian targets in response to Iran’s “unwarranted and continued aggression.”
“CENTCOM forces launched strikes on Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defence sites across Iran. U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets fired precision munitions on Iranian targets that posed a threat to U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters,” CENTCOM wrote on X.
“The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression. U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready,” it added.
Following the attacks, Iran’s main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed to all kinds of vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships.
In addition, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said they targeted US bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for the US strikes.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump threatened fresh military action against Iran and said the United States could eventually take control of key Iranian oil infrastructure, hours after US forces disabled a third commercial tanker accused of violating Washington’s blockade against Tehran.
“The United States will be hitting Iran (whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti-Aircraft, and all other forms of Defence, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He added: “At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America.”
(IANS)
