Iranian strikes near urban areas in the Persian Gulf countries are due to the relocation of US forces from military bases to hotels in cities, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement on Al Jazeera television, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
"Wherever US forces were gathering, wherever there were facilities belonging to them, they were targeted. It is possible that some of these places were near urban areas," the Iranian diplomat said.
Araghchi acknowledged that countries in the region were "upset and their people suffered or were disturbed" by the Iranian strikes. However, he said that the blame for starting the war on February 28 lies entirely with the United States, Reuters notes.
US President Donald Trump told reporters yesterday that he thought Europe would send minesweepers to help the United States open the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported.
Trump stressed that this was "not a big deal" but it was "unfair" regarding his country.
The US president added that he was disappointed with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and stressed that bilateral relations with the United Kingdom were good before the Labour leader became prime minister.
Trump said that the US had been informed by most NATO member states about their reluctance to be involved in the US military operation against Iran, and called it a "very stupid mistake".
Meanwhile, it became clear that the US aircraft carrier “Gerald Ford“, located in the zone of military operations against Iran, is expected to temporarily dock in a port on the island of Crete after a fire on board, US officials announced, quoted by Reuters, BTA reported.
The newest and largest US aircraft carrier is currently in the Red Sea. It is expected to temporarily sail to Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete, the two officials said.
The warship has not been home for nine months, and before arriving in the Middle East it was involved in operations against Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea. The length of its missions has raised questions about the morale of the sailors on board and the warship's combat readiness, Reuters noted.