President Donald Trump has officially notified Congress of the resumption of hostilities against Iran, the newspaper reported. The New York Times (NYT) with reference to a letter sent by the American leader to congressmen. It confirms that American forces launched “defensive strikes against targets inside Iran” on July 7.
As Politico notes, the new notice will allow military operations to take place without congressional approval for 60 days. The previous deadline, according to the administration, was annulled in May when Trump told lawmakers the fighting that began in February had ended.
On Monday, the American president announced the resumption of the blockade of Iranian ports. In addition, contrary to its previous position, Washington intends to charge foreign ships a fee for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The fee will be 20% of the cost of the transported cargo.
“From now on, the United States will be known as the 'guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.' However, to be fair, the United States will receive compensation equal to 20% of the value of all cargo transported to cover any costs necessary to ensure security in this highly volatile region of the world,” Trump wrote.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas will resume on Tuesday at 16:00 US Eastern Time.
“The resumption of the American blockade of Iran was preceded by its first stage, which lasted from April 13 to June 18. During this two-month period, CENTCOM forces diverted more than 140 vessels that complied, disabled nine vessels that refused to comply, and allowed more than 50 commercial ships carrying humanitarian aid through the blockade area,” the report said.
At the same time, the United States has increased the intensity of strikes against Iran in recent days, CNN reports. If on Tuesday evening American forces hit 80 targets, and on Wednesday night – 90, then on Sunday night the number of attacked targets increased to 140.
On Monday evening, CENTCOM announced the beginning of a new wave of massive night strikes.
“The goal of these attacks is to cause serious harm to Iranian forces and reduce their ability to attack civilians and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement said.
The United States, according to CENTCOM, used naval drones in combat conditions for the first time on Sunday. The command published a video of the operation, during which three unmanned Corsair boats attacked the facilities of the Bandar Abbas naval base. The maintenance complex for submarines and surface ships was damaged.
Against the backdrop of American strikes, the Iranian agency IRNA reported, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), about operations against US military facilities in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.
According to the IRGC, a missile and drone strike on the Prince Hassan air base in Jordan on Monday destroyed large missile weapons and fuel storage facilities. In Bahrain, helicopter maintenance centers and control and coordination facilities at the American Sheikh Isa airbase, as well as military infrastructure in the Jafir region, were attacked. In Kuwait, as the Iranian side stated, fuel tanks and a Patriot anti-aircraft missile system at the Ali al-Salem base were destroyed.
At the same time, the confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Houthis, who sided with Iran, intensified. Saudi air defense forces on Monday intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards the southern regions of the kingdom.
The Houthis, in turn, accused Riyadh of attacking Sanaa International Airport. They responded by attacking Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia with multiple ballistic missiles and drones.
As a result of trading on Monday, the cost of a barrel of Brent oil increased by 7.8% to $81.92, reports the Associated Press.
