CAIRO, July 12 (Xinhua) — The United States and Iran exchanged a fresh round of attacks over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, despite a memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries in June, raising concerns over renewed regional escalation.
The U.S. Central Command said in a post on X early Sunday that its forces had completed a third round of strikes this week against Iran, “holding Iranian forces accountable for attacking another commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iran retaliated later by targeting U.S. bases and facilities across the Gulf, with Iranian media saying the strikes targeted U.S. military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
Egypt on Sunday condemned the Iranian attacks, calling them “a flagrant violation” of the sovereignty of the countries affected, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The attacks represent “a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the Gulf region and undermines efforts aimed at reducing tensions and consolidating regional security,” the ministry said.
Egypt stressed that no pretexts or justifications could be accepted for such attacks, calling for an immediate halt to all escalatory actions and adherence to international law to prevent further tension and instability in the region.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the continuing tensions and developments affecting maritime security in the region.
A ministry statement said that these developments could have potential repercussions for regional security and stability, as well as for international trade.
While calling for dialogue and diplomatic means to address differences, the ministry reaffirmed Iraq’s support for all efforts aimed at de-escalation, preserving the security and stability of the region, and safeguarding the shared interests of its peoples.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also condemned the Iranian missile and drone attacks.
In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the UAE’s solidarity with the countries targeted and reiterated its support for measures to safeguard their security and stability.
The UAE Ministry of Defense said on social media that its forces were intercepting incoming missiles and drones, while its National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said the situation remained stable, and that missile threats detected earlier were outside the country’s borders.
Oman on Sunday summoned Iran’s ambassador to deliver a formal note of protest over drone attacks targeting sites in the governorates of Musandam and Al Wusta, Oman’s Foreign Ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry said Oman expressed profound dismay over what it described as irresponsible acts, stressing the need to respect state sovereignty, the principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in internal affairs, and the norms governing relations between the two neighboring countries.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, strongly condemned the Iranian attacks targeting its territory and several neighboring countries, describing them as a flagrant violation of sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.■
Fresh U.S.-Iran clashes spark regional concerns, calls for de-escalation
