US launches fresh strikes on Iran after maritime attack

The United States has started a new series of strikes against Iran, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

The United States has started a new series of strikes against Iran, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

The operation was launched after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the region.

Explosions were reported in several southern Iranian areas, including Asaluyeh and Bushehr. Iranian media also reported blasts in Qeshm, Bandar Abbas and Sirik.

The reported explosions come amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.

According to officials, the maritime incident caused major damage to the vessel. One crew member is missing after the attack.

The ship caught fire, while its engine room suffered severe damage. The vessel was unable to continue its journey due to the destruction.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency confirmed receiving a report about an incident around nine nautical miles east of Oman.

Maritime authorities are closely monitoring the situation as security concerns increase in the region.

The latest developments have raised fears of further escalation in the Gulf waters, where several commercial shipping routes are already facing heightened risks.

Earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed retaliation over the killing of his predecessor and father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a message issued during funeral ceremonies, Mojtaba Khamenei said avenging the deaths of those killed in recent conflicts was a demand of the Iranian nation. He pledged that Iran would pursue those responsible.

Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei also announced plans to take legal action against the United States and Israel over what he called war crimes against Iran.

Speaking in Tehran, Ejei said Iranian authorities were collecting evidence and working with legal experts to pursue cases through international legal channels. He said those responsible should face punishment and provide compensation for the damage caused.