Tehran, May 8: Iran seemed to have been attacked once again as explosions have been reported from various places, including the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian media reported that the explosions were result of “exchange of fire between the Iranian armed forces and the enemy”.
According to Fars News Agency of Iran, parts of commercial section of Bahman Port on Qeshm Island were hit during the exchange of fire between Iranian forces and “the enemy”.
As the reports emerged, Ebrahim Azizi, Head of National Security Commission of the Iranian Parliament, issued a statement on his social media handle, saying: “Making the same mistake again and again won’t get you a different answer; only a stronger one. Respect the new Maritime Regime of Iran”.
It was not clear as to what exactly he meant and whom his message was addressed to.
Tehran has restricted vessels linked to the United States and Israel from navigating through the Strait for more than two months in response to US-Israeli strikes, disrupting a corridor that carries roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade.
Washington later imposed similar restrictions on vessels departing Iranian ports.
Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that navigation in the Strait would normalize if the war is permanently resolved, the maritime blockade is lifted, and sanctions imposed on Iran are removed.
US President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom” on May 3 as a naval mission aimed at escorting stranded vessels through the Strait, but suspended the operation less than 48 hours later, citing requests from Pakistan and other countries as well as reported progress in indirect talks with Iranian representatives.
Fars News agency claimed Iranian forces had responded over the past two nights to US attempts to move vessels through the Strait.
It also alleged that US forces targeted two civilian fishing boats, killing five people. (NVI)
