Tanker Struck in Hormuz as Iran, US Trade Attacks in Worst Escalation Since Peace Deal

A tanker sustained damage after being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to Britain's maritime security agency. This incident marks the latest escalation in a series of attacks between the United States and Iran, occurring just two weeks after they signed an interim peace deal to end a four-month conflict.

Both nations accused each other of violating the agreement. The US reported striking Iranian targets overnight, while Iran stated it had responded by hitting targets linked to US forces on Saturday. The tanker attack followed a similar incident involving a cargo ship on Thursday, which had triggered the current escalation. Iran appears to be reasserting control over the crucial energy shipping route, which had begun to reopen after months of disruption.

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warning shots

Britain's UKMTO maritime security agency confirmed the tanker suffered damage to its bridge, but all crew members were reported safe. The Joint Maritime Information Center, a coalition of navies protecting shipping, raised its security threat level due to the recent incidents. While Iran has not directly commented on specific ship attacks, Iranian state television reported the Revolutionary Guards fired "warning shots" at vessels attempting to use unapproved channels, prompting other ships to seek Iranian permits.

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null and void

Bahrain reported an Iranian drone attack, though the US military did not immediately respond. Iran has accused the US of failing to uphold the peace agreement, particularly regarding a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel, a US ally, invaded in March against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. Despite US-brokered ceasefires, Israel insists on retaining seized territory, and Hezbollah refuses to disarm while Israeli troops remain.

Lebanese state television reported an Israeli drone strike in the Nabatieh area, which the Israeli military stated targeted a "threat to its forces." Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem dismissed the latest Israel-Lebanon agreement as "null and void." Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, claimed Washington violated the war-ending memorandum by supporting proxy forces and creating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state television also reported the Revolutionary Guards delivered a "decisive response" to US forces.

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decisive response