▲ Strait of Hormuz
Tensions are escalating in the Middle East as the United States and Iran have clashed again while engaged in follow-up negotiations for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end hostilities.
According to Reuters on June 27 (local time), the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated in a release that day that "U.S. airstrikes violated the UN Charter and the memorandum of understanding to end the war between the two countries," adding that it had "struck targets linked to the U.S. military."
Iran claimed the attack was "defensive" in nature and warned Gulf nations against allowing the U.S. to use their territory for attacks against Iran.
Mohsen Rezaei, a military advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, also stated that day that the U.S. had violated the agreement by inciting tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that "the response will be swift and decisive."
Although Iran did not specify the targets of its attack, it appears that U.S. military facilities located in Gulf nations were targeted.
Bahrain issued a statement condemning Iran, reporting that it had been hit by an Iranian drone attack that day.
Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, which oversees U.S. naval forces in the Middle East.
Bahrain criticized Iran, stating, "Iran is responsible for undermining peace efforts by continuing its attacks while efforts to de-escalate tensions are underway."
The United States and Iran clashed again on June 26, just nine days after signing a ceasefire agreement, following an attack on a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
In response to Iran's attack on the merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command struck Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar stations on June 26.
In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the U.S. military's attack a "violation of the ceasefire" and announced that it had struck U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
Tensions are rising once again in the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), an oil tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz that day.
The tanker was reportedly hit by an unidentified projectile, and all crew members on board are said to be safe.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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