Iran rejected accusations of regional interference as tensions intensified from the Strait of Hormuz to Yemen, Saudi Arabia and southern Lebanon.
Iran: Oman Agreement Is a Matter of Sovereignty
Iran said Monday that its understanding with Oman over maritime corridors concerns exclusively the sovereignty of the two countries, while rejecting accusations that Tehran is directing developments in Yemen or attacks originating from Iraq.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said a planned meeting in Salalah had been canceled, adding that Saudi Arabia requested its postponement because of recent developments in Yemen.
Baqaei rejected claims of Iranian interference in Yemen, saying Yemenis had demonstrated their independence in matters concerning the Islamic world and humanitarian issues and were acting to secure their rights after 12 years of war and blockade.
He also rejected US allegations linking Tehran to attacks launched from Iraq toward Saudi Arabia, describing the accusations as “pure lies.”
“The United States claims to protect maritime security, but it attacks our boats and ships off our coasts,” Baqaei said, calling on Washington to end its attacks against Iran and provide compensation.
The spokesman argued that Israel was the principal beneficiary of continued regional warfare, saying it profits from crises and divisions among Muslim countries.
Iran, Gulf States Move toward Major Deal on Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Crown Prince Meets CENTCOM Chief
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper in Jeddah on Monday as the confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Armed Forces, affiliated with the Ansarallah movement, continued to intensify.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the meeting addressed US-Saudi relations and the latest regional developments. Saudi National Security Adviser Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban was also present.
The meeting came days after Saudi Arabia temporarily shut its strategic East-West oil pipeline following drone strikes from Iraq in the Riyadh and Medina regions.
The pipeline has assumed heightened importance during the regional war because it allows Saudi crude to reach the Red Sea without passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The meeting also came amid reports that bin Salman had sought direct US military assistance against Ansarallah following the movement’s recent territorial advances in Yemen. According to Axios, US President Donald Trump declined the request.
Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline is Shut: Why Does It Matter?
Ansarallah Launches Major Attack on Saudi Air Base
Ansarallah announced Monday that it had launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones against King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, southern Saudi Arabia, in one of its largest announced operations during the latest escalation.
Military spokesman Yahya Saree said aircraft hangars, radar systems, runways, ammunition depots and other military facilities were targeted, reporting “significant losses” at the base.
Ansarallah said the attack came in response to Saudi airstrikes across Yemen, saying Saudi F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets had conducted more than 300 strikes over the previous five days.
Saudi Civil Defense issued an alert for Khamis Mushait before later announcing that “the danger has passed.” Residents were urged to follow official instructions and avoid gathering or filming.
Ansarallah warned that its attacks on Saudi Arabia would continue for as long as Saudi military operations in Yemen continued, adding that further attacks would be answered with “broader and more severe” operations.
The latest operation follows a rapidly expanding exchange of attacks, with Saudi aircraft striking areas under Ansarallah control and Yemeni missiles and drones targeting Saudi cities, military installations and energy infrastructure.
Satellite Images Reveal Extensive Damage to Key Saudi Oil Pipeline as Oil Tops $108
Iran Warns Insurers over Hormuz Violations
Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Affairs Authority has warned international insurers, protection and indemnity clubs and classification societies against providing services to vessels Tehran says have violated its regulations governing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The authority said Monday that it had updated its list of non-compliant vessels.
“Insurance companies, P&I clubs and classification societies are warned to refrain from providing services to these vessels in order to avoid the consequences arising from relations with them,” the authority said.
The warning represents another indication that Tehran is seeking to enforce its own regulatory framework over maritime traffic through the strategic waterway amid the continuing US-Iran war.
It comes as Iran and Oman have been discussing arrangements governing maritime corridors through Hormuz, while Tehran insists that lasting maritime security depends on an end to US attacks and restrictions against Iran.
Iran Says MQ-1 Drone Destroyed as Saudi Arabia Seeks Delay in Regional Talks
Austria Blocks Iranian Nuclear Chief from IAEA Meeting
Austria denied visas to Atomic Energy Organization of Iran chief Mohammad Eslami and his delegation, preventing them from attending an International Atomic Energy Agency conference in Vienna.
Baqaei called the decision “absolutely unjustified” and said Tehran had summoned Austria’s chargé d’affaires to formally protest.
“All of this is contradictory. On the one hand, they prepare an incorrect report, and on the other, they prevent representatives of a country from entering to defend themselves,” he said.
“They are seeking to prevent Iran’s voice from reaching the world.”
Baqaei also criticized IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi over moves toward another resolution concerning Iran, saying a fair approach should first have addressed US and Israeli attacks against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Austria, which hosts UN institutions in Vienna, reportedly sought an exemption from applicable travel restrictions to allow Eslami to attend, but the request was not granted.
Israel Continues Attacks on Southern Lebanon
Israeli forces shelled several areas of southern Lebanon on Monday despite the existing ceasefire framework, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Israeli artillery struck the outskirts of the Al-Deir neighborhood in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while machine-gun fire was directed toward Beit Yahoun in the Bint Jbeil district. Israeli artillery also targeted the outskirts of Hadatha overnight. No casualties were immediately reported.
According to Lebanese figures, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed nearly 4,400 people and wounded approximately 12,500.
The attacks have continued despite the US-mediated framework signed by Beirut and Tel Aviv on June 26, providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory alongside Lebanese army deployment.
Israel continues to occupy areas of southern Lebanon, including territory seized during earlier wars and positions taken during its ongoing military campaign.
Israel Demolishes Homes, Launches Airstrikes across South Lebanon
Pezeshkian: Iran ‘Will Never Bow’ to US
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Washington of attempting to create divisions inside Iran and said national cohesion was essential to resisting US pressure.
“If we have empathy and synergy in the country and can preserve unity and cohesion, we will never bow to America,” Pezeshkian said during a meeting with retirees.
He accused the US of seeking social fragmentation through the restrictions imposed on Iran and criticized Washington and Israel for presenting themselves as defenders of human rights while killing civilians.
He also referred specifically to Gaza, saying Palestinians deprived of food and water were nevertheless labeled “terrorists.”
Pezeshkian said Iran was simultaneously strengthening relations with neighboring states and expanding overland interactions as maritime routes remained restricted.
“If we join hands, we can address the issues and concerns,” he said.
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(PC, Tasnim, Anadolu, Al Mayadeen, Various Media)
If anyone attacked from Iraq; my shady, scummy US government was behind it, and only so that Iran would be blamed. The bad guys are blaming the good guys and claiming that they’re the bad ones. And now our government has placed sanctions on Iran, only because they’ve been winning this illegal war since day one. Our leaders fight dirty, they don’t deserve our respect. Iran did nothing wrong, they only fought back when we attacked them for WASrael.
We The People need to demand that our Nazi government remove all sanctions on everyone around the world. Wake up! WE are the terrorists.