Iran, in turn, accused the USA of having already broken the ceasefire: On Wednesday, the US military attacked an Iranian oil tanker in Iranian coastal waters and another ship. Tehran also claimed that the US, with the support of “regional countries,” carried out airstrikes on civilian areas along the coast and on the island of Gheshm. Iranian forces then fired on US ships east of the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of torpedoing a diplomatic solution.
The United Arab Emirates also reported new attacks: air defense intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones, and three people were injured. There is speculation that the Emirates may have been involved in the US attacks on Iran. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards-affiliated Tasnim news agency warned that if this were confirmed, “the Emirates will pay the price for their hostile actions.”
Iran expert Hamidreza Azizi wrote that recent incidents indicate that the US is tightening its naval blockade and shifting focus to the Strait of Hormuz itself. Even after the suspension of “Project Freedom”, the risk of escalation remains high.
Despite the situation, Trump recently appeared optimistic that he would soon be able to reach an agreement with Tehran. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio expected a response from Iran to diplomatic advances on Friday. Trump once again called on Iran to quickly sign a peace agreement – otherwise the US military would strike “much harder and much more violently”. (mke/sda/dpa)