File image of the Strait of Hormuz
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Iran and US have renewed their attacks in and near the Strait of Hormuz, unsettling a ceasefire and jeopardizing talks to end the US-Israel Wars.
The latest cycle of violence was started by drone strikes on three vessels within 24 hours. The attacks began Monday night with the targeting of the Qatar-linked Al Rekayat liquefied natural gas tanker at the mouth of the Strait in the Gulf of Oman.
On Tuesday night the US military fired on more than 80 targets, including Iran’s Qeshm Island and the ports of Sirik and Bandar Abbas in the south of the country. A US official said the targets included Iranian air defense systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles, and drone launch sites.
Iran responded with attacks on US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, claiming 85 facilities had been targeted. The Kuwaiti army said air defences were confronting “hostile” missile and drone attacks, but there was no confirmation of any damage.
Before striking Iran, the Trump Administration announced that it was revoking a sanctions waiver on the sale of Iranian oil, citing the “wholly unacceptable” attacks on the tankers.
The Trump camp had issued the waivers through August 21 as it engaged in negotiations with Tehran on implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding.
The renewed clashes are threatening the limited resumption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. At least four oil and gas tankers have turned back from attempted transit. Maritime authorities raised the risk level to “severe”.
