Morning update

Good morning Middle East Eye readers, recent events have unfolded across the region. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reported conducting strikes on US infrastructure in Jordan, targeting the King Hussein and al-Azraq bases, as well as launching drone attacks against the UAE's Al Minhad Air Base. These actions were a response to a previous US attack on Larak Island, which resulted in the killing and wounding of IRGC members and Iranian civilians.

In a statement, the US Central Command (Centcom) emphasized that Iran posed an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz. They explained that Iran had created the threat and the US military took action to protect civilian mariners, commercial shipping, and the free flow of global commerce. US President Donald Trump reiterated his stance that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons, warning that such access would lead to the destruction of the region, Israel, and potentially the US or Europe.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted that Tehran is not seeking war but will respond decisively if attacked. He stressed that instability and unrest in the region are detrimental to all countries and could challenge everyone. Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department is expected to announce weekly secondary sanctions targeting Iran's banks, with a primary focus on prohibiting transactions involving Iranian money and supporting the regime.