US Strikes Iran Military Site Amid Ceasefire Concerns

Washington DC. The US army has again attacked a military area in Iran's strategic port city of Bandar Abbas, targeting it anew. This is the second attack by the US on Iran in three days. 

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), its forces have also shot down four 'one-way attack drones' of Iran that were creating a threat in the Strait of Hormuz region. CENTCOM stated that the attack on the military site occurred while a fifth drone was being prepared for launch in Bandar Abbas. Iranian media have reported hearing loud explosions east of the city.

This attack comes amid a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran and long negotiations underway to end the war that has been ongoing for the past three months. Due to this war, shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has been halted, and fuel prices have risen sharply in the global market. 

Although the US claims these attacks were in self-defense, they have put the ceasefire in jeopardy. CENTCOM commented that its actions were 'purely defensive and motivated by the objective of maintaining the ceasefire'.

The US had previously confirmed an attack in southern Iran on Monday, also citing 'self-defense'. At that time, Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz were targeted, where thousands of commercial tankers have been stranded due to the conflict. CENTCOM stated that those attacks were carried out to protect its soldiers from the threat of the Iranian army.

In a cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump commented that Iran was 'negotiating from a position of weakness' and asserted that the upcoming US midterm elections in November would not affect his war strategy.

Iran, however, has strongly condemned these attacks, calling them a 'serious violation of the ceasefire'. The Iranian government has warned that it will 'not leave any hostile act unanswered'. 

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed to have shot down a US drone that entered its airspace and fired on a fighter jet and another drone, although details of when this incident occurred have not been disclosed.

Meanwhile, in a cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump commented that Iran was 'negotiating from a position of weakness' and asserted that the upcoming US midterm elections in November would not affect his war strategy. Trump said, 'Maybe we should go back and finish it, or maybe not.' 

At the same meeting, he also urged Gulf nations to sign the 'Abraham Accords' to normalize relations with Israel. Israel, along with the US, launched a war against Iran on February 28 and is currently engaged in a war with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Although speculation suggested a deal was close after both sides signaled progress last weekend, Tehran clarified that a deal would not happen immediately.

President Trump has threatened to launch a large-scale bombing campaign again if Iran does not agree to his terms. Trump, who had stated last weekend that much had been settled and that a peace deal was close, said in Wednesday's meeting that the US was 'not satisfied'. 

He mentioned that Tehran wants to make a deal but an agreement has not yet been reached, reiterating the threat of further attacks if negotiations fail. Speaking to reporters, he said, 'They want to make a deal, I don't think they have any other option. Either a deal is made, or we have to finish this job.'

This statement from Trump came shortly after Iranian state television released details of a draft agreement, which included reopening the Strait of Hormuz and withdrawing US troops from the region. The White House dismissed the draft as 'completely fabricated'. 

Although speculation suggested a deal was close after both sides signaled progress last weekend, Tehran clarified that a deal would not happen immediately, while Trump instructed his negotiators 'not to rush'.

BBC