Iran ceasefire tested as cargo ship catches fire and Kuwait reports drone attack
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Kuwait’s military says it responded to a drone strike as the Iran war’s shaky ceasefire is tested.
Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense spokesman Brig. Gen. Saud Abdulaziz Al Otaibi said enemy drones entered Kuwaiti airspace early Sunday and forces responded “in accordance with established procedures.”
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Below is AP’s earlier story.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A cargo ship caught fire Sunday after being hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Qatar, the British military said, in the latest attack on ships in the Persian Gulf since the end of a tenuous ceasefire. Conflict between the USA and Iran.
The Trump administration says the month-long ceasefire is still in effect. But it has been tested repeatedly, with Iran restricting traffic in the region. Strait of Hormuza strategic waterway key to global oil flows and the US blockade of Iranian ports.
Washington is awaiting Iran’s response to a proposed new deal that would end the war, reopen the strait to shipping and roll back Iran’s nuclear program.
One of the main sticking points in the negotiations is the fate of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile. The U.N. nuclear agency says Iran has more than 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels.
In an interview with Iranian state media, a spokesman for the Iranian military said forces were “fully prepared” to protect nuclear sites where uranium is stored.
“We thought they might have intended to steal it through infiltration operations or helicopter operations,” said Brig. General Akrami Nia told the IRNA news agency late on Saturday. He did not offer further details.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi said most of Iran’s highly enriched uranium probably still resides in the Isfahan nuclear complex. Associated Press last month.
The Isfahan facility was bombed by US-Israeli air strikes during the 12-day war last year, but faced less intense attacks in this year’s war.
The UK Merchant Marine Operations Center said Sunday’s naval attack caused a small fire on the ship, which was extinguished. UKMTO said the attack took place 23 nautical miles (43 kilometers) northeast of Qatar’s capital, Doha.
It was stated that there was no loss of life. No details were given about the ship’s owner or origin, and there were no claims of liability.
However, there have been numerous attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf in the past week. On Friday, the United States struck two Iranian oil tankers after the ships said they were trying to break through a blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy reiterated its warning on Sunday. Attack on Iranian oil tankers or merchant ships would face a “heavy attack” on one of the US bases and enemy ships in the region.
US President Donald Trump to have recurring threats If Iran does not accept the agreement to reopen the strait and roll back its nuclear program, it will continue full-scale bombing. Iran has largely blocked the critical waterway for global energy since joint U.S. and Israeli strikes launched the war on February 28; This has led to a global increase in fuel prices and world markets are shaking.
