Iran hardline editor says UAE should be added to attack target list

An Iranian army spokesperson said the United States must comply with the terms of the memorandum of understanding, adding that US actions to create what he called an "illegal route" in the southern Strait of Hormuz had undermined security.

"We are duty-bound to ensure the region's security and the safe passage of ships," Brigadier General Abolfazl Akraminia said, according to state media.

He added that Iran's armed forces would "firmly defend the rights of the Iranian people in the Strait of Hormuz" and said their target list was "constantly being updated."

Iran's top negotiator, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, posted part of the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States on X, warning that "the era of one-sided deals is OVER."

The image highlighted a clause stating that, upon signing the agreement, Iran would "make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only" between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

"We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking," Ghalibaf wrote in the post.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US forces completed a third round of strikes against Iran this week, hitting approximately 140 Iranian military targets in response to an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM said the strikes targeted missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks and coastal surveillance locations.

“During three nights of strikes this week, CENTCOM has struck more than 300 targets at the direction of the Commander in Chief to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels freely transiting the strait. Commercial vessel transits through the vital international maritime corridor continue,” CENTCOM posted on X.

Former US Middle East envoy Dennis Ross said on Saturday the latest US military strikes on Iran were unlikely to deter Tehran, arguing its leaders believe attacks on commercial shipping strengthen their control over the Strait of Hormuz.

“Our current military strikes will produce very little against Iran. If they are meant to show the Iranians the cost of attacks again at ships, they will fail. Iran’s leaders think they gain more from their attacks since they show control of the Straits,” he posted on X.

The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defense said on Saturday its air defense systems were actively engaging Iranian missile and drone attacks, adding that sounds heard across parts of the country were the result of intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.