BREAKING: US carries out new airstrikes on Iran after attack on cargo ship
US forces have carried out new strikes on targets in Iran, after President Donald Trump accused the country of a "foolish violation" of the ceasefire
US forces have carried out new strikes on targets in Iran, after President Donald Trump accused the country of a "foolish violation" of the ceasefire in the Middle East. It follows an attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which was hit by a drone two days ago. US Central Command said it has responded by attacking missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar positions in Iran. There has been no comment yet from the regime in Tehran.
Moments before the attacks were announced, President Trump said "you'll see" when asked if the US would respond to the Iranian attack on the cargo ship.. US Central Command - Centcom - described the strikes as "a powerful response" to the drone attack. In a statement it said: "The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire… Iran's dangerous behavior undermined freedom of navigation as commerce increasingly flows through the vital international trade corridor." Centcom said the US military would "continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the strait".
After US and Israeli launched a massive assault on Iran in February, Tehran closed the strait of Hormuz- a critical waterway for oil and gas shipments - causing a surge in global energy prices and choking off shipments of other crucial commodities such as fertiliser. The US and Iran agreed on 17 June to end hostilities under a 14-point memorandum of understanding, which requires Iran to use its "best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days".
Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Sarah Smith in Washington. For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #BBCNews
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