DUBAI: Iran Gulf attacks followed a third round of US strikes on Iranian targets after Tehran said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz, US and regional officials said Sunday.
US Central Command said it struck about 140 Iranian targets after Iran attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. AP reported that the vessel caught fire and its crew abandoned ship.
CENTCOM said it targeted missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition depots, communication networks and coastal surveillance locations. The command said the strikes aimed to weaken Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched missile and drone attacks on US-linked facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Jordan.
Qatar said its forces intercepted a missile attack targeting its territory. The United Arab Emirates said its air defense’s engaged missiles and drones from Iran. Bahrain sounded sirens, while Kuwait said it was intercepting hostile aerial targets.
Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Jask, Chabahar, Bandar-e Deyr and Asaluyeh.
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The explosions were also reported near Bushehr, which hosts Iran’s nuclear power plant. Officials did not confirm any damage to the facility.
Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until further notice after it fired at vessels it described as using unapproved routes.
CENTCOM said commercial vessels were still moving through the waterway, AP reported. Qatar and Oman continued mediation efforts after Iran and Oman discussed safe passage through the strait.
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Reuters reported that the escalation followed disputes over the June 16 memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.
Maritime security analyst Ian Ralby said the crisis was unlikely to be solved militarily. He said continued fighting could keep energy supplies, shipping costs and goods prices under pressure.
