Iran deputy FM says US violated Islamabad MoU, warns of response

US Central Command said on Tuesday night its forces had begun launching a series of strikes against Iran in response to attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to “impose heavy costs” on Iran for targeting commercial shipping crewed by civilians in an international waterway.

"Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire," the US military said in a post on X.

Iranian hardline lawmaker Mojtaba Zarei lashed out at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over Turkey’s hosting of a NATO summit, saying he wished he could carry out what he called a “martyrdom” attack against the person he accused of killing Ali Khamenei.

“Death to Erdogan, who is hosting the killer of the martyred imam at the NATO summit in Turkey, even as the funeral procession of this divine leader is being held in Iran and Iraq,” Zarei said.

“I wish I were a brave Turkish citizen so I could send the killer to hell in the streets of Ankara in a martyrdom operation,” he added in a post on X.

Egypt has decided to limit this year’s ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s death to a private gathering of the Pahlavi family, exiled Queen Farah Pahlavi said in a post on X.

"This year, due to security concerns as well as the turbulent and unsettled regional situation, the Egyptian government has deemed it appropriate for the ceremony to be held as a limited gathering, only for the Pahlavi family," Farah Pahlavi said in a message to Iranians.

She thanked Egypt and its presidents for their longstanding support over decades and “brotherly” kindness toward the Pahlavi family.

The exiled queen urged Iranians to respect the decision, saying that in their absence, she would honor the late shah on behalf of all those who had supported the annual commemoration.

Bahrain's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday condemned an Iranian attack on the Saudi oil tanker Wadiyan and the Qatari oil tanker Al-Rukayyat in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the incident endangered the crews of both vessels.

The ministry said the attack threatened international maritime security and global energy supplies, and violated international law and the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi condemned what he called Iran’s targeting of the Saudi tanker Wadiyan as it transited the Strait of Hormuz, in a statement Tuesday.

Al-Budaiwi called the attack a “criminal Iranian act” and a dangerous escalation threatening international navigation security and energy supplies.

He said the GCC states fully stood with Saudi Arabia and supported all measures taken by Riyadh to protect its national interests.
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi condemned what he called Iran’s targeting of the Saudi tanker Wadiyan as it transited the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement on Tuesday, Al-Budaiwi called the attack a “criminal Iranian act” and a dangerous escalation threatening international navigation security and energy supplies. He said the GCC states fully stood with Saudi Arabia and supported all measures taken by Riyadh to protect its national interests.