SHARE Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Tuesday reaffirmed Cairo’s rejection of any attempt to undermine the security of Bahrain, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states or any Arab country, stressing that their security is an integral part of Egypt’s national security, as the United States expanded its military campaign against Iran and announced a sweeping naval blockade.
Al-Sisi made the remarks during a visit to Bahrain following an earlier stop in Qatar, in a show of solidarity with both countries amid escalating regional tensions. He condemned attacks on Bahraini territory as a flagrant violation of international law and a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability, while reiterating Egypt’s call for de-escalation and the peaceful resolution of regional crises.
His visit coincided with an announcement by US Central Command (CENTCOM) that it had completed a five-hour wave of strikes against military targets across Iran, including sites in Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa and Bandar Abbas.
CENTCOM said US forces used precision-guided munitions to strike coastal defence systems, missile and drone facilities, and naval assets in an effort to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping.
Before the operation, US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site and vowed to continue striking the country with force. He also formally notified Congress of the renewed military campaign, saying US forces had carried out what he described as defensive strikes against targets inside Iran on July 7.
In a move expected to further escalate the confrontation, the US-led Joint Maritime Information Center announced that Washington would begin enforcing a naval blockade covering all Iranian ports, oil terminals and coastal areas. The restrictions would apply to all vessels regardless of the flag they fly.
China expressed deep concern over the renewed military escalation in the Gulf, while Oman said it continued to cooperate transparently and impartially with all parties to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law.
Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said the Liberia-flagged tanker Stolt Magnesium was attacked about 40 nautical miles off the coast of South Al Sharqiyah, outside Omani territorial waters, causing a fire in its engine room. All 23 crew members were evacuated safely.
Kuwait said its armed forces intercepted hostile aerial targets that entered its airspace, while Bahrain said its air defences had destroyed several Iranian aerial threats and placed all military units on maximum readiness.
Saudi Arabia’s cabinet condemned repeated Iranian attacks on commercial vessels as well as strikes targeting Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan, accusing Tehran of violating international law and the principle of good neighbourliness.
Inside Iran, state media reported that three people were killed in a strike on a building belonging to the country’s environmental authority in Hajiabad. Four locations in Bushehr province were also hit, although officials said no casualties were reported there.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted a US troop facility at an air base in Jordan with ballistic missiles. The force said it harboured no hostility toward Jordan but called for the removal of US military bases from its territory.
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