Washington, DC – The confrontation between the United States and Iran has entered a new phase of escalation after the US military launched new airstrikes targeting sites in southern Iran.
This attack is the first large-scale strike since the collapse of the memorandum of understanding between the two countries.
In the same context, US President Donald Trump confirmed
that the objective of the operations is to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
He also declared his indifference to Iran’s announcement that it was abandoning the agreement.
Undermining Iran’s capabilities
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the strikes began at 10:00 PM GMT.
It stated that the strikes were aimed at “degrading Iran’s ability
to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The strikes also aimed to punish the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
for the attack that killed two US service members in Jordan.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported hearing explosions in the cities of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Bandar Lengeh.
Additionally, areas near the cities of Sirik and Hajiabad in southern Iran were targeted,
though there has been no official announcement regarding the extent of the damage.
Trump: We will not allow Iran to possess a nuclear weapon
In his first comments, US President Donald Trump told News Nation
that the two American soldiers killed “died in the service of our country.”
He also stressed that the main objective of the war was “to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”
Responding to Tehran’s announcement that it was no longer bound
by the memorandum of understanding with Washington, Trump said, “I don’t care at all.”
A naval blockade was imposed on Iran
Concurrently with the strikes, the US Central Command confirmed the continuation of its naval operations in the region.
It indicated that its forces are maintaining a naval blockade of Iran and have diverted five commercial vessels.
It also delayed another ship until July 18, as part of its efforts to protect navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
This escalation comes hours after CENTCOM announced the deaths of two US service members
and the disappearance of a third following an Iranian attack targeting US forces in Jordan.
Washington considers this a transgression warranting a direct military response.
