President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed that US aircraft carried out strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites, saying the action was in response to repeated violations of a ceasefire agreement.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
He warned that further military action could follow if Iran continues to breach the truce, and suggested that escalation could reach a point where the Islamic nation will no longer exist.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN! It is very possible that they will never learn! There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist! President DJT"
His remarks came shortly after the US launched another round of military strikes against Iran, following Washington’s accusation that Tehran had violated the ceasefire for a second consecutive day by attacking a commercial oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the latest strikes were ordered by the Commander in Chief and targeted Iranian military infrastructure linked to maritime attacks, including surveillance systems, communication networks, air defence sites, drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities.
CENTCOM said the action was a direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping, including an attack on the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku, which was struck by a one-way attack drone while transiting near the strategic waterway.
“US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted additional strikes against multiple targets in Iran, June 27, at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” it said.
The military added that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains unaffected and said US forces continue to remain “vigilant, lethal, and ready.”