THE United States broke the ceasefire with Iran once again today with an attack on Larak Island in the Strait of\u00a0Hormuz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US attack early this morning killed two people and injured two others, according to Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A spokesperson for US Central Command (Centcom) said, without evidence, that the \u201climited, precise action\u201d was carried out after it observed Iran preparing to \u201claunch rockets and deploy sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The IRGC vowed \u201cresponse and punishment\u201d and retaliated by attacking US military bases in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jordan\u2019s army claimed it had managed to intercept eight missiles early this morning. The UAE Ministry of Defence said reports of an attack on the Al-Minhad Air Base were unfounded but confirmed that it had shot down a drone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Larak Island is just offshore from the key port of Bandar Abbas in the strait, a vital waterway through which 20 per cent of the world\u2019s oil and liquefied natural gas used to travel before the war began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the US and Israel launched their illegal and unprovoked attack on Iran on February 28, the strait has largely been closed to traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran is currently demanding that tanker traffic pass by Larak Island for checks and reportedly charging vessels to pay $2 million (\u00a31.5m) to cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran\u2019s Foreign Ministry said today it \u201cstrongly condemned the American military aggression on Larak,\u201d saying the strikes on bases in Jordan were a \u201clegitimate defence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said: \u201cWe are not seeking war, but we will deliver a decisive response to the aggressors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hours after the US attack, US President Donald Trump posted AI videos on social media showing oil infrastructure exploding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One was captioned \u201cKharg Island being blown to smithereens!!!\u201d in reference to a major oil terminal off the coast of Iran which President Trump has threatened to take. His post did not elaborate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Trump \u200bsaid last week that all mines placed in the strait by Iran as part of its efforts to blockade the route had been detonated or removed. He said Iran had been warned that any ship \u200bor boat deploying new mines would be \u200bdestroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran\u2019s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi labelled President Trump\u2019s claim a \u201cpropaganda\u201d deception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran is facing renewed economic pressure after the US announced a fresh sanctions campaign on August 24 aimed at collapsing the Iranian economy and forcing regime change in Tehran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MorningStar<\/p>\n