The United States has carried out air strikes on Iran for the 13th consecutive night, as President Donald Trump announced that frozen Iranian assets could be used to compensate for damage caused to commercial shipping.
Iranian state media reported that four people were killed and five others injured in the latest attacks. One which targeted military and commercial sites, including Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island.
US Central Command (Centcom) said the operation was aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten civilian vessels. According to the military, the strikes targeted command centres, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites and maritime assets.
Trump said money from Iranian assets held by the United States would be used to cover damages to ships and cargo, describing the move as “fair and equitable.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the proposal. He warned that confiscating another country’s assets could create a dangerous international precedent.
Meanwhile, concerns over maritime security continue to grow after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
Shipping through the Strait has been disrupted, with Reuters reporting that only one tanker passed through on Thursday. This is the lowest daily transit since May.
The worsening security situation has also pushed global oil prices above $100 per barrel. This raises concerns about energy supplies and international trade.
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