politics
Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens in Lebanon; Iran Accuses US in Tanker Attacks
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy threatened a heavy response if its oil tankers or commercial vessels are attacked, one day after U.S. forces struck two Iranian tankers. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed at least 39 people in a single day, further straining a ceasefire in place since mid-April.
The Sydney Morning HeraldAudio version
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Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy warned that any attack on its oil tankers or commercial vessels would trigger a heavy assault on an American base in the region and enemy ships. The warning came a day after U.S. forces struck two Iranian tankers that the Pentagon said were attempting to breach its blockade of Iran’s ports.
Iranian state television reported the threat on Saturday, casting doubt on the month-old ceasefire that Washington insists remains in effect. The U.S. Central Command said its forces had turned back 58 commercial ships and disabled four since the blockade began on April 13.
Iran has largely blocked the Strait of Hormuz to global energy shipments since late February, driving up fuel prices worldwide. Britain announced it is deploying the warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East to preposition for a potential UK- and French-led mission to protect commercial shipping once a sustainable ceasefire takes hold.
In Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed 39 people on Saturday according to the country’s health ministry. One strike on the southern town of Saksakiyeh killed at least seven, including a child, and wounded 15 others including three children. The Israel Defense Forces stated it targeted Hezbollah operatives operating from a structure used for military purposes and had taken steps to reduce civilian harm.
The Lebanese health ministry also reported an Israeli drone strike on a motorbike in Nabatieh that first hit a Syrian national and his 12-year-old daughter, then struck the girl directly in a third attack while she sought safety. Hezbollah responded by launching a drone into northern Israel that wounded three Israeli soldiers, one seriously.
Israeli and Hezbollah forces have traded fire almost daily since then. Lebanese health authorities say more than 120 people have been killed across the country in the past week and a total of 2,795 since March 2, when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel two days after the U.S. and Israel struck Iran.
