🎯 Expanded U.S. Military Response: The United States broadened its military campaign against southern Iran after another Iranian attack on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to U.S. officials, the latest operation was larger than the previous night's strikes and was launched in response to Iran's attack on a commercial tanker earlier in the day.
CENTCOM stated that after Tehran was given an opportunity to uphold the ceasefire following U.S. retaliation for the attack on the M/V Ever Lovely, Iran instead launched a one-way attack drone that struck the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku while it was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces subsequently targeted Iranian surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defense positions, drone and missile storage sites, coastal radar installations, and minelayer capabilities.
🛰️ Operational Activity: Reported strikes were concentrated around the Strait of Hormuz, including the Sirik region, Qeshm Island, Tahrouyi village, Misan village, and the Kong/Bandar Lengeh area. Iranian media reported damage to telecommunications infrastructure and multiple explosions in the affected areas.
Flight tracking indicated extensive U.S. aerial operations involving KC-135 and KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft operating from Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, alongside broader fighter aircraft activity across the region.
🗣️ President Trump's Statement: President Trump announced the operation, stating that U.S. aircraft had struck Iranian missile and drone storage facilities along with coastal radar sites in response to what he described as another Iranian violation of the ceasefire. He warned that continued violations could eventually lead to a broader military campaign, adding that "the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist" if the United States is forced to complete the operation militarily.
🛡️ Iranian Military Activity: According to Fox News, citing a U.S. official, American and Bahraini forces intercepted and destroyed nine Iranian drones launched overnight toward U.S. personnel stationed in Bahrain. The official confirmed that the subsequent U.S. retaliatory strikes had been completed.
Separately, Iran's IRGC Navy announced that it had confronted vessels using what it described as "illegal and unsafe routes" through the southern Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media said additional information regarding operations against American forces would be released later.
🚜 Israeli Withdrawal Preparations: According to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, the IDF is preparing to begin withdrawing from two initial experimental sectors in the Nabatieh area—Zawtar al-Gharbiya and Frun—with additional areas planned later.
The preparations follow Prime Minister Netanyahu's confirmation that withdrawals from the experimental zones will begin. Channel 13 also reported that the commander of U.S. Central Command is expected to visit Israel's northern region to review the initial implementation phase.
⚠️ Israeli Security Assessment: While preparations continue for implementation of the framework agreement, Israel's defense establishment is simultaneously preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting in the north.
According to a security source cited by ynet, intelligence assessments indicate Hezbollah could launch attacks against the IDF within days in response to the agreement. The source said Hezbollah "will not sit idly by," while emphasizing that Israel retains full freedom of action to eliminate threats and respond to any hostile activity.
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