Washington/Tehran. Tension flared up once again in the early hours of Friday amid the ongoing fragile ceasefire between America and Iran. The UAE Defense Ministry claimed that its air defense systems are actively retaliating during missile and drone attacks. The ministry issued a warning to citizens not to go near any fallen debris or explosive material and not to take photographs of it.
Tensions escalated when the US military claimed to have foiled Iranian attacks on US naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the Iranian military tried to target US Navy guided missile destroyers using missiles, drones and small boats. In response, America took action against Iranian military bases in self-defense.
Centcom said the US military targeted missile and drone launch sites, command and control centers and intelligence monitoring centers. Although America made it clear that it does not want to escalate the tension further, but is fully prepared to protect American soldiers.
US President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that despite the violence, the ceasefire still holds. He alleged that Iran has messed with us today. Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social that the US military destroyed several Iranian small boats. On the other hand, Iran accused America of breaking the ceasefire. According to the Iranian military command, the US air strikes targeted the coastal areas of Bandar Khamir, Sirik and Qeshm Islands. Iran claimed that its retaliation caused heavy damage to American military ships.
Iranian state media had earlier reported explosions and gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz, the BBC reported. Local media also claimed to have heard explosions in Tehran. It is noteworthy that the ceasefire between America and Iran is in force since April 8. Talks were also held between the two countries last month under the mediation of Pakistan, but no concrete agreement could be reached. Now the latest developments have once again increased the fear of a major military conflict in the region.
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