Is the ceasefire officially over? The US and Iran are exchanging fire around the Strait of Hormuz.
Just hours ago, there was a serious exchange of fire around the Strait of Hormuz. The US military launched strikes against Iran’s port of Qeshm. It also hit the Bandar Abbas port.
CENTUM Alleges Protection while IRG Claims Retaliation
Nevertheless, the US says the ceasefire remains in effect. According to the US Military Central Command, CENTCOM, they are just protecting the US warships trying to leave the Strait of Hormuz.
Confirming the strikes as reported by US mainstream media, Iran says the US struck first, on the night of Thursday, the 7th. Then the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRG) responded, targeting some US Navy ships.
According to Iran, the US military targeted the civilian populations of Qeshm Island and an Iranian oil vessel within Iranian territory.
Iran’s military coordination headquarters, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central (KC) Headquarters, also accused some regional countries of facilitating the US attacks. Although Iran did not name any of those allies, the BBC reported relevant information from the UAE’s Ministry of Defense.
It indicated that the UAE’s military had to intercept a drone and missile in its airspace, launched from Iran.
Bragging about having caused massive damage to the US ships, the statement from Iran’s KC Headquarters termed the US an aggressor and a terrorist. It also labeled the US military a “bandit army”.
Confusing Situation
CENTUM says its strikes on Iran’s assets are a purely protective response to Iranian attacks. Earlier in the week, US President Donald Trump launched Project Freedom, saying the military would peacefully escort stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, CENTUM refutes allegations that Iran has succeeded in hitting any of its targets. It claims to have intercepted the launched Iranian missiles.
Meanwhile, as chaos threatens the Strait of Hormuz, the US, through Mike Waltz, has presented a proposal to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Backed by its Gulf allies. The US wants the UNSC to demand that Iran abandons control over the activities in the Strait of Hormuz.
With all the mixed signals from the main stakeholders, it is difficult to predict the trajectory the US/Israeli-Iranian war is going to take.