US Bombs Iran for Fifth Consecutive Night

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that its forces launched a new wave of strikes against Iran, the fifth consecutive night of attacks. “At 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time today, US forces began a new wave of strikes against Iran for the fifth straight night to further degrade Iranian military capabilities,” CENTCOM stated, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Friday. Meanwhile, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that three explosions were heard west of the southern city of Bandar Abbas overnight. The cause of the blasts was not immediately known, though the Mehr news agency reported that US missiles struck the city, without providing details on casualties or damage. Tensions between the US and Iran have recently escalated over the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides exchanging attacks despite a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt previously stated that the recent US strikes were prompted because “Iran violated the memorandum of understanding that we agreed upon with them.” She added, “Specifically, in the memorandum of understanding they signed, they are prohibited from shooting at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and unfortunately, they made the tragic decision to do so.” The US announced on Tuesday that it was resuming a naval blockade of vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. Iran on Thursday accused the US of committing “war crimes” by targeting civilian infrastructure in the attacks, claiming the strikes violate international law and the UN Charter.