Washington: The United States carried out additional military strikes against multiple Iranian targets on Saturday after Tehran allegedly launched another drone attack on a commercial oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The latest action came a day after US forces conducted retaliatory strikes following what Washington described as an Iranian attack on the commercial vessel M/V Ever Lovely. US officials said Iran was given an opportunity to abide by a ceasefire agreement but instead escalated the situation with another strike on a tanker transiting one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.
In an official statement posted on X, CENTCOM said, “US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted additional strikes against multiple targets in Iran, June 27, at the Commander in Chief’s direction.”
The command added that Iran had been given “a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement” following Friday’s US response but “elected not to when its forces launched a one-way attack drone that hit M/T Kiku this morning at 4:30 a.m. ET.”
According to CENTCOM, the Panama-flagged tanker was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz at the time of the attack.
Describing the objectives of the latest operation, CENTCOM said, “CENTCOM forces launched strikes today in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping. US military aircraft targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities.”
In a separate post, the command also disclosed that “US Navy and Air Force fighter jets conducted strikes tonight on 10 Iranian military targets at multiple locations in and near the Strait of Hormuz for Iran’s drone attack on M/T Kiku.”
The latest military action marks another escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the United States stating that the strikes were intended to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping in the region.
Despite the heightened military activity, CENTCOM said commercial shipping continues through the vital waterway.
“Commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue. US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready,” the statement concluded.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest energy corridors, handling a significant share of global oil exports, making any disruption to maritime traffic a major concern for international markets and regional security.
(IANS)
