Click to see full-size image. (U.S. Central Command)
Iranian state media said two military sites in the south of the Islamic Republic came under attack late on July 9, but U.S. officials denied that American forces were carrying out any new strikes.
The state-run IRNA news agency, citing Ehsan Jahanian, the political and security deputy governor of Bushehr province, reported that a military site near the city of Bushehr was struck by what he described as “American-Israeli enemy projectiles”. Bushehr is home to Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant.
Separately, the state-run broadcaster IRIB reported that a naval military zone in Konarak, a strategic port on the Gulf of Oman in southeastern Iran, was attacked twice by what it described as “enemy fighter jets.”
The broadcaster quoted Konarak county governor Mohammad Younes Haqani as saying emergency responders and security forces had been deployed to the area.
Responding to these reports, a U.S. official told CNN that American forces were not conducting additional strikes in Iran. Israeli officials also said they were unaware of any Israeli involvement in the latest strikes inside the Islamic Republic.
A series of attacks targeting commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz triggered an exchange of strikes between the U.S. and Iran over the past two nights. Amid the escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the memorandum of understanding “is over.”
Despite all of this, the White House signaled on July 9 that it is still committed to the memorandum of understanding with Iran.
“The United States is still committed to finding a resolution, and technical talks continue,” reads a statement attributed to a senior U.S. official that the White House has sent to querying reporters.
The statement acknowledged Trump’s comments against the memorandum of understanding but signals that the U.S. is still prepared to adhere to its terms, so long as Iran does the same.
“President Trump made his feelings very clear yesterday in no uncertain terms. Iran’s attacks on these innocent vessels are acts of terrorism,” the official said.
“The MOU is performance-based, and Iran’s actions constitute failed performance at an unacceptable level,” they added.
The memorandum of understanding saw the sides agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz toll-free for 60 days to facilitate talks on a comprehensive final agreement, but Iran claims the document still gives it the right to manage shipping through the corridor.
Meanwhile, Axios reported that Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are trying to de-escalate tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Officials from these countries held multiple calls over the past day with American and Iranian officials to calm the situation and seek another round of technical talks.
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