U.S. Military Claims to Launch "Defensive" Airstrikes, Iranian Media Says Current Situation is Calm
On May 25, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that a spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command stated that the U.S. military conducted "defensive" airstrikes on missile launch sites and minesweeping boats in southern Iran on that day. According to Iranian media reports, explosions were heard in the port of Abbas, but the situation is currently calm.
Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins said in a statement that the targets of the U.S. strikes included Iranian missile launch sites and vessels attempting to lay mines, aimed at protecting U.S. forces "from threats posed by Iranian military forces."
Hawkins claimed that during the ongoing ceasefire, the U.S. military continued to "defend itself" and "exercise restraint."
When reporting this news, the Iranian Fars News Agency stated that "the U.S. military admits to violating the ceasefire agreement."
According to several Iranian media reports, three explosions were heard in the port of Abbas late on the night of the 25th, with the cause unknown. Similar explosions were also reported in Sirik and Jask along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz. The Mehr News Agency later reported that the situation was under control and there was no cause for concern. A reporter from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting later reported from the scene in Abbas, stating that the local situation was normal and that the government of Hormozgan Province, to which the city belongs, was conducting further investigations.
Social media reports indicated that two fast boats of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were attacked by U.S. military aircraft on the evening of the 25th, resulting in multiple casualties. In response, Iranian forces fired at U.S. warships in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. military subsequently conducted airstrikes east of the port of Abbas, and the Iranian air defense system was activated. However, the overall situation remains relatively calm.
The U.S. Fox News Channel reported, citing a senior U.S. official, that the U.S. airstrikes have "temporarily ended."
From the evening of May 7 to the early morning of May 8, the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Central Command stated that due to an "unprovoked attack" on a U.S. destroyer by Iran, the U.S. conducted "defensive" airstrikes on relevant Iranian military facilities, emphasizing that the U.S. does not intend to escalate the situation.
On May 25, 2023, U.S. Central Command conducted airstrikes on Iranian missile launch sites and minesweeping vessels in Abbas Port as a self-defense measure. Explosions were reported in the area, and Iranian fast boats were targeted, resulting in casualties. In retaliation, Iran fired upon U.S. naval vessels in the Oman Gulf. Despite these events, the overall situation remains calm according to reports.
- U.S. conducted airstrikes on Iranian missile launch sites and vessels in self-defense.
- Explosions reported in Abbas Port and surrounding areas.
- Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps boats were attacked, resulting in casualties.
- Iran fired upon U.S. naval vessels in response to the airstrikes.
- The situation is currently reported as calm despite the incidents.