The US has launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, marking another escalation in the fragile ceasefire agreement.
Explosions were reported in the southern Iranian port city of Sirik on Sunday, with state broadcaster IRIB confirming blasts had been heard but providing no further details, ABC reports.
The US military said the operation targeted Iranian military infrastructure in response to what it described as ongoing attacks on commercial shipping in the waterway.
“CENTCOM forces launched strikes today in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping,” the US military said in a statement.
“US military aircraft targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities.
“Commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue. US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”
Earlier, Iran said it had launched strikes on targets linked to US forces in retaliation to American air strikes on its southern coast.
Iran’s foreign ministry said Saturday’s attacks were “defensive” and carried out in response to what it described as “the barbaric air strikes” on coastal surveillance facilities, arguing the US action also violated the UN Charter.
The ministry did not identify where the retaliatory strikes took place.
Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, later condemned what it said was an Iranian drone attack on its territory, describing it as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and warning it reserved the right to defend itself.
British maritime security agency UKMTO later reported fresh tensions in the Strait of Hormuz after an oil tanked was damaged by an “unidentified projectile”.
“The vessel sustained damage to their bridge; all crew are reported safe,” UKMTO said.
Security firm Vanguard Tech identified the vessel as the Panama-flagged tanker KIKU.
Iran has not publicly accepted responsibility for any attack on commercial vessels. However, state media reported the Revolutionary Guards fired “warnig shots” at ships travelling through sea lanes that Tehran says was not authorised.
The developments have fuelled fresh uncertainty over the ceasefire reached last week, with both Washington and Tehran accusing each other of violating the agreement that was intended to end four months of fighting.
In a separate incident, Israel confirmed it carried out a drone strike near Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon, saying it targeted an individual considered a threat to its forces.
The strike came just one day after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a US-brokered security arrangement aimed at reducing tensions along their shared border.