The US and Iran have launched fresh missile and drone strikes against each other, marking the fourth such military exchange in the past one week and triggering fears that the June 17 peace memorandum between the two countries is ‘dead’ and West Asia is headed for a crisis.
The agreement had envisaged a 60-day window for negotiations. However, hostilities resumed within three weeks, with the first reported breach on July 7, followed by a series of attacks on each other’s military assets.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM), tasked to West Asia, put out a statement on Monday, saying it “completed a new wave of offensive strikes against Iran, July 12, hitting dozens of targets with precision munitions to degrade Iran’s ability to attack international shipping flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The US forces struck Iranian military air defence systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats using US fighter aircraft, naval vessels, one-way attack aerial drones, and one-way attack sea drones for the first time.
“The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade. Iran does not control it,” CENTCOM said, adding that US forces are prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available to commercial shipping despite Iran’s continued unwarranted aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations.
Meanwhile, Iran has responded with ‘drone attacks against US bases’ in Kuwait and Bahrain.
A statement issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and carried by the Iran state news agency IRNA said Iranian forces were conducting “destructive drone” assaults on US military facilities, including defence and missile systems, bunkers and support shelters in Kuwait.
The IRGC condemned the US attacks as a “blatant violation” of the United Nations Charter, accusing Washington of repeatedly targeting Iranian military sites, civilian infrastructure and civilians.
Iran’s armed forces said they would use their “full capabilities” to defend the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and population against any further aggression.