Iran Tells Gulf States They Must Block US, Israeli Attacks
Summary
- Iran's Foreign Ministry said Gulf states have a legal and moral responsibility to prevent attacks by the United States and Israel.
- The US said it carried out airstrikes on about 20 sites inside Iran after the downing of an Apache helicopter.
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck 21 targets across the Gulf region, including the US air base at Azraq in Jordan, with long-range missiles and drones, and said it would mount a "stronger response" if hostile acts continue.
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Iran said Gulf states have a legal and moral duty to prevent the US and Israel from using their territory or facilities to plan, organize or carry out hostile acts against Tehran, after the latest exchange of attacks with Washington.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on June 10 that "all countries in the region" have a legal and moral responsibility to stop the US and Israel from using their territory or facilities to plan, organize or execute hostile actions against Iran.
The statement came after Iran carried out what it described as a counterattack on major US military facilities in the Middle East following US retaliatory strikes. The message appeared intended to signal that Tehran would not tolerate the use of US bases and other military facilities in the region for attacks on Iran.
The US had earlier said it would hold Iran responsible after a US Army Apache helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz on June 8. It launched airstrikes on multiple locations in Iran on June 9.
US Central Command said the attacks began at 5 p.m. on June 9. Iran's Mehr News Agency reported explosions in the southern coastal city of Sirik, as well as in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm near the Strait of Hormuz.
A US official told Reuters that the American strikes targeted about 20 locations inside Iran.
The US described the operation as an act of self-defense, but Iran quickly responded. Reuters reported that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on June 10 that it had struck 21 targets across the Gulf region, including the US air base at Azraq in Jordan.
The Revolutionary Guard said it used long-range missiles to target four sites at Azraq, including F-35 fighter jet hangars and a command-and-control center.
It also said it attacked the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait with drones, and threatened a "stronger response" if hostile acts continue.
Jordan's military said it intercepted five missiles fired from Iran toward Azraq Air Base. Debris from the interceptions fell inside Jordanian territory, but there were no casualties or property damage.
Kuwait also said its air defense systems intercepted airborne targets and urged citizens to follow safety guidelines.
Ko Jung-sam, Hankyung.com reporter, jsk@hankyung.com
Korea Economic Daily
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