US Denies Iranian Strike on Unmanned Vessel Amid Escalating Conflict
The US military has denied claims that Iran struck an unmanned American vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the allegations a 'total lie.'
Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Central Command, made this statement after state-run media in Tehran claimed the US vessel was trying to enter a restricted area.
The incident occurred just a day after the US said it struck three Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for Iran launching ballistic missiles at Navy warships. The attacks resumed last week after a month of quiet, following the collapse of negotiations and ceasefire agreement announced in June.
Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, stated that the era of 'proportionate responses' is over, and Iran's retaliation will be 'faster, heavier, and more painful.'