Key Takeaways
- Iran's president confirms the country is engaged in a full-scale war with the United States.
- US strikes expanded to areas including Bushehr and East Azerbaijan provinces, causing casualties.
- Tehran reimposes blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalate.
Iran has declared itself in a full-scale war with the United States following a series of military engagements that have escalated in recent days. President Masoud Pezeshkian stated, according to a presidency statement, 'The reality is that today the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaged in a full-scale war.'
In response to these claims, Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced attacks on targets in Bahrain, Jordan, and Syria, while Bahrain reported that Tehran had targeted its air navigation systems. The strikes have been ongoing since a truce signed in June collapsed.
The conflict has intensified with US strikes expanding beyond the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, which previously saw a fifth of world oil supplies transit through it. Oil prices surged to a one-month high as tensions escalated, with both sides vying for control over the vital waterway.
In Bushehr, home to Iran's only operational civilian nuclear power plant, Governor Mohammad Mozaffari told state news agency IRNA that 'A few minutes ago, several locations in Bushehr city were hit by American enemy’s projectiles.' In East Azerbaijan province, one person was reported martyred and several others injured.
Despite the latest attacks, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei maintained that diplomatic exchanges with the United States via mediators are ongoing. He stated at a press conference in Tehran: 'Ideas have been conveyed to us by certain mediators.'
Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni was set to travel to Islamabad, according to a Pakistani interior ministry source, though no specific reason for his visit was confirmed.
Meanwhile, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that sailors abandoned a vessel set on fire in an attack near the Strait of Hormuz. The Revolutionary Guards had earlier announced that two oil tankers trying to transit the strait 'exploded and were brought to a halt,' according to Tasnim news agency.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for countries around the world to share the burden of protecting global shipping, but Tehran vowed not to allow the strait to be used by its foes ‘to threaten Iran’s security and national interests.’
The fresh fighting comes after a weekend of escalating tensions. US Central Command (Centcom) reported that it had successfully completed the ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran.
'The reality is that today the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaged in a full-scale war.'
President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's President
'Ideas have been conveyed to us by certain mediators.'
Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman
