Trump Confirms Strikes on Iranian Military Assets
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that American forces struck Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites in tit-for-tat action for violating the ceasefire agreement. In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that if violations persist, the United States may be forced to "militarily complete the job" and that "the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist."
Details of the US Military Operation
US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted additional strikes against multiple targets in Iran on Saturday. According to a CENTCOM statement, the strikes came after Iran launched a one-way attack drone that hit the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku at 4:30 a.m. local time near the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil. CENTCOM said the strikes targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities.
Reports of Explosions in Coastal Areas
Earlier in the day, Fars News Agency reported that people on the beaches and coastal areas of the Taharouyeh region in Sirik heard the sound of several explosions. Elderly residents in Qeshm also reported hearing explosions. The exact location and source of these explosions remain unknown, the agency stated.
Context of the Ceasefire Violations
The US action followed an Iranian attack on the M/V Ever Lovely, after which Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement. However, Iran elected not to comply when its forces launched a one-way attack drone that struck the M/T Kiku. CENTCOM emphasized that the strikes were a direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping. Commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue, and US forces remain vigilant and ready, the statement added.
Trump’s Warning and Regional Reactions
Trump’s threat to "wipe Iran out of existence" if violations continue drew attention. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on protests in Iran, expressing belief that the regime will eventually fall. The Iranian Embassy in Saudi Arabia responded on social media, accusing Israel of embodying falsehood and asserting that falsehood is bound to perish.
