“Closer To War Than 24 Hours Ago”: Iran Launches Missiles, Drones And Fast Boats As America Forces Two Ships Through The Strait
The ceasefire is alive. But only just.
According to CBS News, day one of Project Freedom saw the US military deploy destroyers, helicopters, fighter jets, drones and over 15,000 service members to escort two American flagged merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the first attempt to restore commercial shipping since Iran blocked the waterway.
Iran responded with everything it had left. Iranian cruise missiles targeting US Navy destroyers and the merchant ships were shot down, and US helicopters sank six small Iranian fast boats that attempted to intercept the commercial vessels.
The Persian nation then widened the attack beyond the strait, firing more than a dozen missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates. Three people were injured and a fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone after a drone strike.
Senior US officials told reporters the situation had moved closer to a resumption of major combat operations than at any point in the previous 24 hours, adding that the military stands ready to respond and is “rearmed and retooled.”
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Monday’s violence proves there is “no military solution” to the crisis and urged the US to avoid being “dragged back into a quagmire by ill-wishers.”
A Maersk vessel was confirmed as one of the ships that transited the strait under US escort. The ceasefire has not officially ended. But nobody is calling this peace.
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