America launches new attacks on Iran over threat to shipping routes

US President Donald Trump said Iran would be held responsible for the financial cost of any damage caused to ships or cargo amid the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.

He said he would use seized Iranian assets to compensate for any damage caused to shipping.

“From this point forward, any and all damage caused to ships, cargo, or anything belonging thereto will be paid for with Iranian funds which are in the possession and controlled by the United States,” Trump wrote on his Truth social platform.

“These losses may be enormous but, nevertheless, it is the right and just thing to do,” Trump said.

Trump’s statement came after Iran-backed Houthi rebels said that they had attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea.

In response, Iran warned that Trump’s threat to use seized Iranian assets would set a dangerous precedent.

“Seizing another country’s assets to pay for unrelated future claims sets a provocative precedent,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on Twitter.

The US said it had struck Iran for the 13th consecutive night, as Iranian state media reported explosions across the country.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it targeted Iran’s military command centers, drone storage facilities, communications networks, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities.

CENTCOM said the strikes were launched “to hold Iran accountable and reduce threats to commercial shipping from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Tensions between Iran and the US over shipping routes have increased since the ceasefire broke down earlier this month.

CENTCOM also said it had redirected 12 commercial ships since “resuming the naval blockade against Iran nine days ago” and disabled one to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports or coastal areas.

The latest US strikes come after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they had targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.

President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened “major military punishment” against the Houthis if attacks on the ships continue.

The United States attacked Iran for the 13th consecutive night on Friday, after Tehran targeted American sites in Kuwait the previous night.

On Thursday, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, escalating tensions on one of the world’s key energy shipping routes.

Following the Houthis’ attack, Trump threatened Iran and the Houthis with “major military punishment”.

Meanwhile, the US has signed a separate bilateral security pact as well as a major nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia.

Stay tuned as we bring you the latest on the US conflict with Iran and other developments in conflict in the Middle East.