Iran has accused the United States on Thursday evening of violating the ceasefire by attacking ships. In response to these accusations, the United States stated that “American forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defense strikes.”
The Iranian military command accused the US military of violating the ceasefire in effect by attacking ships near the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement broadcasted on state television late on Thursday, May 7 to Friday.
The American military, “violating the ceasefire, targeted an Iranian oil tanker leaving Iranian coasts (…) as well as another boat,” said the Khatam Al-Anbiya armed forces command, as reported by the Irib television channel, also accusing the United States of striking the south of Iran “in cooperation with other countries in the region.”
Iranian forces “immediately responded by attacking American military ships, (…) causing significant damage,” they added.
The United States retaliated with “self-defense strikes,” according to the US Central Command (Centcom), stating that “American forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defense strikes” as they “transited through the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman.”
“The Iranian forces launched many missiles,” according to Centcom, which reported that they “neutralized incoming threats and targeted Iranian military installations responsible for the attacks against American forces.”
“The Centcom does not seek escalation but remains mobilized and ready to protect American forces,” the statement emphasized.
In April, Donald Trump had announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran to give more time for negotiations, while still maintaining the blockade of Iranian ports.
