Read our editorials on the US-Israeli war on Iran here and here.
On July 7, US imperialism launched a series of airstrikes against multiple targets in Iran and simultaneously revoked a waiver that lifted sanctions on Iranian oil, breaking the Memorandum of Understanding established in June.
US imperialism has justified this breach by stating that Iran carried out strikes against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian sources state that the vessels were struck for non-compliance with Iran’s navigation procedures for the Strait, which it continues to enforce. Military analyst for Electronic Intifada, Jon Elmer, notes these strikes were warnings that did not inflict serious damage to the ships or injure sailors aboard.
The US Central Command claims that approximately 170 Iranian targets were hit on July 7 and July 8, and another 140 on June 11. At least 17 people were killed and 93 injured in the US strikes, according to Iranian media. Iranian officials said the US attacks were the largest since the Memorandum of Understanding came into effect.
The Islamic Republic of Iran launched two waves of counter-attacks with drone and missile strikes and another wave on June 12. Iran’s initial retaliation hit 85 US military targets in the region, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and downed one US MQ9 Reaper drone over Iranian airspace, with Iranian officials promising that further US aggression would be met with greater retaliation.
The US downplayed the effectiveness of Iranian strikes, following a documented pattern of covering up losses. The Wall Street Journal reported that not all Iranian missiles fired at US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain were intercepted, highlighting the continuing ability of Iran to inflict pain on the aggressors.
Iran has remained firm in their administration of the Strait of Hormuz, with the IRGC Navy stating on Thursday: “Once again, we declare that foreigners have no share in this land and the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Strait, through which one-fifth of the world’s crude oil is shipped, has been severely restricted in traffic volume in response to the strikes against Iran. The US military stated that the goal of the strikes is to forcibly open the Strait—a repeated aim US imperialism has failed to achieve.
Head of US imperialism Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he believes the Memorandum of Understanding is “over” and that it’s a “waste of time” to negotiate with Iran.
Since the beginning of the war on February 28, Iran has decisively repulsed the attacks of US imperialism and its rabid attack dog, Israel. The June 17 MoU marked a significant victory for Iran and a major defeat for US imperialism, the sole hegemonic imperialist superpower, who agreed to provide sanctions relief, return stolen Iranian assets, provide $300 billion in war reparations, and withdraw its military forces encircling Iran.
Image: The aftermath of a US attack on a fishing boat in Asaluyeh, Iran. Credit: Fotros Resistance.
The Worker is an entirely volunteer-run revolutionary newspaper free from and radically antagonistic to corporate influence. We rely on the support of our readers to sustain our editorial line in service of the working class and the reconstitution of its party, the Communist Party. Make a one-time or recurring donation to our newspaper today:
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
