Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian mentioned on Monday, August 31, that Tehran “is just not searching for warfare” however would “by no means sit nonetheless within the face of any aggression”, as tensions between Iran and the USA flared once more after weeks of relative calm.
Talking earlier than leaving for Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to attend the summit of heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation nations, Pezeshkian mentioned Iran would “give a decisive response to the aggressors” if attacked.
“Instability and unrest within the area usually are not within the curiosity of any nation and can problem everybody,” he added.
His feedback got here after US forces struck Iranian launchers on Larak Island, adopted by Iranian retaliation in opposition to US targets in Jordan and the UAE. The trade marked the primary identified direct assaults between the 2 sides since late July, whereas renewed tensions across the Strait of Hormuz pushed Brent crude above USD 90 a barrel.
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Iran rejects Trump’s Kharg assault declare
Oil operations at Iran’s Kharg Island haven’t been disrupted, Nationwide Iranian Oil Firm CEO Hamid Bovard mentioned on Monday, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s social media declare that the important thing oil export hub was being destroyed, Nournews reported.
UAE denies stories of assault on Al Minhad Air Base
The UAE Ministry of Defence on Monday denied media stories claiming that Al Minhad Air Base had been focused with missiles.
The ministry described the stories as unfounded and mentioned the armed forces remained on excessive alert and absolutely ready to reply to any threats.
It additionally urged the general public to depend on official sources for data and chorus from spreading rumours or inaccurate stories.
UAE says air defences responded to drone from Iran
The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that its air forces responded to a drone over the Emirates’ territorial waters after it entered from Iran.
The ministry mentioned the UAE Armed Forces stay on full alert and are prepared to reply to all threats, whereas air defence programs proceed to watch and observe the nation’s airspace across the clock.
It additionally urged the general public to depend on official authorities sources for data and keep away from spreading rumours and misinformation.
Iran identifies IRGC Navy member killed in Larak strike
Iran’s state media on Monday recognized Ali Fayazi as an IRGC Navy member killed within the US strike on Larak Island and printed his {photograph}, based on Iran Worldwide English.
Trump says Iran can’t possess nuclear weapon
In feedback to Fox Information, President Donald Trump mentioned Iran couldn’t be allowed to own a nuclear weapon.
He mentioned that if Iran had acquired one, Israel and far of the Center East may have confronted destruction. Trump argued that the US had intervened to stop Tehran from utilizing a nuclear weapon in opposition to Israel, nations within the area or doubtlessly the USA.
Trump additionally mentioned Iran had focused the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait and claimed the US had eliminated mines from the Strait of Hormuz with very restricted help from different nations.
He mentioned Washington would have nearly full management over the waterway as soon as it received the warfare and criticised NATO members, South Korea and different allies for not offering larger help.
Trump shares AI-generated Kharg Island video
Trump shared an AI-generated video on his Reality Social platform depicting explosions on Iran’s Kharg Island, a significant oil export hub.
The footage confirmed an oil storage tank and an oil tanker exploding as considered from an plane. “Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!! President DJT,” the accompanying submit learn.
Nonetheless, there was no rapid proof that Kharg Island had been attacked. It was unclear whether or not Trump’s submit was referring to an precise assault or making a risk.
Fars stories USD 7.5 billion in oil revenues
Iran’s Oil Ministry, quoted by Fars Information Company, mentioned the central financial institution obtained USD 7.5 billion in oil revenues throughout the first 4 months of the yr.
The ministry mentioned the quantity was equal to 1.5 instances that collected throughout the identical interval final yr. It added that the development was anticipated to proceed till January regardless of the continuation of the US embargo.
Iran says supertanker hit by two sea mines
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps mentioned a supertanker making an attempt to move by way of the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz caught hearth and got here to a whole halt after being hit by two sea mines.
In a press release carried by state TV, the IRGC Navy warned that the destiny of ships violating its safety laws can be no totally different and mentioned compliance with its guidelines for passage and navigation was obligatory.
Iran has largely restricted transport by way of the Strait, though some vessels have transited waters nearer to the Omani coast. Tehran has repeatedly warned in opposition to utilizing what it considers unauthorised routes.
IRGC claims downing of US MQ-9 drone
The IRGC mentioned it shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
Fars and Mehr information businesses, citing an IRGC assertion, mentioned Iran’s air defences intercepted the long-range American drone earlier than it fell into the Gulf. There was no rapid affirmation from the US.
Iran says it focused US belongings at UAE airbase
Iran’s military mentioned it launched dozens of drones at Al Minhad Air Base within the UAE early on Monday.
The military mentioned the operation focused places the place US forces and helicopters had been stationed and described it as retaliation for Iranian navy personnel and civilians killed within the US strike on Larak Island.
Iran calls Jordan strikes ‘legit defence’
Iran’s Overseas Ministry condemned the US assault on Larak Island and mentioned its armed forces struck US navy bases in Jordan in response.
The ministry mentioned the amenities had been used to launch and help the assault on Larak, which it mentioned killed and wounded members of Iran’s armed forces and civilians.
It mentioned Iran would reply decisively to additional navy aggression and that the US and events supporting its actions bore full accountability for any escalation.
He mentioned Iran would reply decisively to aggressors, whereas warning that instability within the area would problem each nation.
US Central Command rejects Iran’s ‘act of aggression’ declare
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has rejected the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) declare that US strikes focusing on its minelaying forces within the Strait of Hormuz had been an “act of aggression”.
CENTCOM mentioned the declare was “completely false”, sustaining that US forces took “restricted, exact motion” in opposition to IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent risk within the strategic waterway.
It mentioned the operation was carried out to guard civilian mariners, industrial transport and the free movement of worldwide commerce.
IRGC claims strikes on US bases in Jordan, Qatar
The IRGC mentioned it carried out a mixed ballistic missile and drone operation in opposition to US navy positions, naming the King Hussein and Al-Azraq air bases in Jordan amongst its targets.
It claimed to have struck technical and upkeep infrastructure and fighter-jet positions. Stories additionally indicated that Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar was focused.
Iran referred to as the operation “Punishment of the Aggressor” and warned of a stronger response to any additional assaults.
Jordan intercepts eight missiles
Jordan’s armed forces mentioned air-defence programs intercepted eight missiles that entered its airspace and destroyed them earlier than they might pose a risk.
Movies circulating on-line confirmed obvious interceptor launches and explosions over Jordan. Stories additionally claimed explosions close to the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which hosts US forces, though claims of direct hits weren’t independently confirmed.
A US official mentioned there was no main harm to US forces in Jordan.
Alerts reported throughout the Gulf
Emergency alerts had been reported in Dubai throughout the escalation. Footage circulating on-line purported to indicate a missile launched from southern Iran, with claims that it was heading in the direction of the UAE.
Alerts had been additionally reported in Qatar and Kuwait. Particulars about their nature and whether or not they had been linked to incoming missiles weren’t instantly clear.
Cruise missiles reportedly launched in the direction of US vessels
Separate stories mentioned cruise missiles had been launched from southern Iran in the direction of US naval vessels within the Gulf of Oman.
Iranian tv additionally reported explosions in Sirik, a metropolis in southern Iran, which it mentioned might be related to navy exercise across the Strait of Hormuz.
A number of claims about missile routes, targets and harm remained unverified.
“JUST RUN!”: Iranian lawmaker vows retaliation
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s Nationwide Safety Fee, vowed retaliation for the US strikes on Iranian launchers on Larak Island in a submit on X.
“Take a look at our will as soon as extra, and pay a heavier value. Retaliation is coming; JUST RUN!” he wrote.
In an earlier submit in Persian, Azizi mentioned no assault in opposition to Iran would go unanswered, warning that the nation’s response can be “devastating, extra painful, and instructive”.
“Wait in concern and terror!” he added.
Oil costs rise above USD 90
Oil costs climbed by greater than 2 per cent because the escalation fuelled considerations over transport and power provides by way of the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude rose USD 2.22, or 2.52 per cent, to USD 90.32 a barrel, whereas US West Texas Intermediate gained USD 2.01, or 2.41 per cent, to USD 85.41 a barrel.
The rise mirrored fears {that a} wider battle may additional disrupt tanker visitors by way of the important waterway.
US redirects 83 vessels
US Central Command mentioned it had redirected 83 industrial vessels since reinstating its naval blockade of Iran on July 14. It additionally mentioned three vessels had been disabled and two boarded.
US strikes on Larak Island
US forces struck two IRGC launchers on Larak Island on Sunday. In keeping with US officers, the websites had been focused to stop the alleged deployment of naval mines within the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran rejected claims regarding the mining of the waterway. Iranian media reported explosions close to the island, and the IRGC later mentioned the strike induced navy and civilian casualties.
US plans additional sanctions on Iran
In the meantime, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned Washington deliberate to impose sanctions on one other financial institution as a part of efforts to extend monetary stress on Tehran.
He mentioned the US would urge different nations to cut back financial ties with Iran and warned that these persevering with monetary transactions with Tehran may face US motion.
The state of affairs remained fluid, with official statements and stories persevering with to emerge from throughout the area.
