Tehran Rejects Trump’s Claim That Iranian Officials Called After US Attacks
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that additional strikes were carried out on several Iranian targets on the president's orders.
Washington: US President Donald Trump claimed that he received a call from Iranian leaders directly on Wednesday, stating that they urged to stop the strikes againts the Islamic Republic. The development comes after the Republican leader claimed that the US and Iran are "close to a deal" to end the over three-month-long conflict in the Middle East.
Did US attack Iran?
The US launched new airstrikes on several areas in Iran. This was followed by reports of explosions in Sirik, Minab, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, and Gorgan in southern Iran. Following the US attack, Iran has once again blocked one of the world's most important waterways, Strait of Hormuz.
What did Donald Trump say?
Hours before these attacks, US President Donald Trump stated that the US was prepared to launch more severe attacks on Iran. He said, "We attacked yesterday and we will attack today. If Iran does not change the situation, the action will continue." Trump also appealed to Iran to reach a compromise.
The US President said that Iran was hit with 49 Tomahawk missiles. Trump said that, if Iran does not accept US terms for ending the war, "we'll bomb the S- out of them tomorrow night."
What did Iran say?
Iran in a statement denied Donald Trump's claim that Tehran asked the US President to stop the bombing. Calling it a "sheer lie", the Iranians said that there was "no contact" between Trump and Tehran's leadership, adding that Iran will "respond militarily to the US aggressions".
"Trump's claim that Iranian officials have contacted him is strongly denied and is a cover for escaping war," Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said.
What did US say about strike?
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that additional strikes were carried out on several Iranian targets on the president's orders. The US stated that this action was in response to Iran's continued aggressive activities.
"CENTCOM forces launched strikes on Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites across Iran. US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets fired precision munitions on Iranian targets that posed a threat to U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters," it added.
Following this, Iran's Revolutionary Guards also attacked two ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC claimed to have struck 18 key targets in retaliatory strikes, including an airbase in Bahrain and two in Kuwait.
Explosions in southern Iran
According to Iranian media, loud explosions were heard in the Bandar Abbas, Sirik, and Minab areas of southern Iran. Iran's state broadcaster reported that air defense systems were activated in the Asaluyeh region, which is considered one of Iran's major energy and petrochemical centers.
