Iran says US violated ceasefire by targeting its oil tanker in Gulf of Oman, vows 'crushing response'

Iran on Friday accused the United States of violating the existing ceasefire after American forces allegedly targeted Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman warning that Tehran would deliver a ldquocrushing responserdquo to any further military action reported ANIIran accuses US of targeting oil tankersAccording to Iranian state media a spokesperson for Khatam alAnbiya Central Headquarters claimed that US forces attacked an Iranian oil tanker travelling near the port city of Jask towards the Strait of Hormuz reported ANIIran also alleged that another vessel entering the Strait near Fujairah was targeted as part of ongoing American naval operations in the regionTehran alleges strikes on civilian coastal areasThe Iranian military spokesperson further alleged that airstrikes were carried out on civilian areas along the coasts of Bandar Khamir Sirik and Qeshm Island with the cooperation of certain regional countries reported ANIIran described the operations as aggressive and accused Washington of violating the ceasefire arrangement that had been intended to reduce tensions in the regionUS previously confirmed action against tankerThe accusations come days after US Central Command CENTCOM confirmed that American naval forces had fired on an Iranianflagged oil tanker identified as MT Hasna in the Gulf of OmanAccording to the US military the tanker failed to comply with repeated warnings issued by American forces while travelling towards an Iranian port CENTCOM said US aircraft disabled the vesselrsquos rudder after the crew allegedly ignored instructions reported ANIReports emerge of fresh US strikes in southern IranMeanwhile reports citing a senior US official claimed that American forces conducted strikes on areas near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm port in southern Iran following reports of explosions near key maritime routesThe reports suggested the strikes were limited in nature and did not necessarily indicate the collapse of the existing ceasefire arrangement between the two sidesIran claims retaliatory action against US vesselsThe spokesperson for Khatam alAnbiya Headquarters stated that Iranian armed forces had responded immediately by targeting US military vessels positioned east of the Strait of Hormuz and south of the port of Chabahar reported ANIIran claimed the retaliatory strikes caused significant damage to American military assets although there was no immediate confirmation from US officials regarding the alleged attacks reported ANITehran warns of stronger military responseIran warned that any future aggression would be met with a decisive response The statement asserted that the Islamic Republic remains fully prepared to confront military pressure and would respond forcefully without hesitation if attacks continue reported ANIThe latest developments have further escalated tensions in the Gulf region where ongoing military deployments and naval operations around the Strait of Hormuz continue to raise concerns over regional stability global trade and energy securityWith inputs from ANI