Play store
The United States has carried out fresh strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, triggering several explosions and raising fears of a further escalation in the eight-month conflict.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing US officials, that American forces had struck the strategically important island in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state media outlet IRNA had earlier reported several explosions on the island.
Some US officials described the attacks as defensive operations aimed at preventing Iran from targeting commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The reported strikes were part of a series of limited US military operations conducted in recent weeks.
Washington reportedly kept the operations small and largely undisclosed to avoid signalling a return to a large-scale military campaign.
Qeshm Island is strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international shipping route through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supplies passes.
The latest development has raised concerns about renewed hostilities and potential disruptions to regional oil supplies.
Oil prices rose in early Asian trading on Tuesday following reports of the strikes.
US Central Command had not immediately commented on the reported attack, according to Reuters.
The development comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran and diplomatic efforts to prevent a further escalation of the conflict.
