Iran’s armed forces have grown stronger and more confident after months of direct confrontation with the United States and Israel, an army spokesman said Saturday. The assessment comes as the Middle East conflict remains deadlocked and the US military offers a $20 million reward for intelligence on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Iranian military forces are on alert and possess greater motivation than they did when the conflict began in late February, according to Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia. State news agency IRNA reported the remarks as mediators work to prevent a resumption of active fighting across the region.
Tehran Controls the Strait of Hormuz
The war erupted in late February when the United States and Israel launched a wave of strikes against Iran. Since then, Tehran has attempted to restrict commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime chokepoint that normally handles about one-fifth of global oil consumption.
Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear program, including its facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, such as those in the scientific community, or the movement of any of the above.… pic.twitter.com/ruTNlZxqFh
Akraminia asserted that Iranian forces maintain control over the strategic waterway, stating it will stay closed until the US meets Tehran’s demands. He warned that any future military action would meet an immediate and expansive reprisal.
Under the order of the Supreme Leader, the response of the armed forces will be immediate, effective, and without geographical limitations,
Mohammad Akraminia, Iranian army spokesman
Missiles Hit Qeshm Island
Tensions escalated early Saturday as local media reported kinetic strikes near the waterway. The Tasnim news agency reported that two missiles hit Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian state television confirmed hearing two explosions in the area. Official damage assessments had not been released.
Concurrently, the Iranian army announced that its air defense units had struck and destroyed
an American drone operating over the island. US President Donald Trump confirmed new military strikes on the Islamic Republic following earlier American media reports regarding the Qeshm Island incident.
United States Offers $20 Million Reward
The US military announced a reward of $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear programme. The incentive is administered through a State Department national security rewards programme established in 1984 to protect American lives and interests.
The State Department issued a statement regarding the reward.
The State Department cited a lack of compliance with the (International Atomic Energy Agency) on safeguards obligations has led to the agency’s loss of ‘continuity of knowledge’ regarding Iran’s production and inventory of key components like centrifuges.
Trump Claims Success in West Palm Beach
President Trump maintained during remarks in West Palm Beach, Florida, that US operations have successfully dismantled Iran’s nuclear programme. If we didn’t hit Iran, you wouldn’t have Israel today,
Trump stated, adding, If they had nuclear, they would have used nuclear. They would have obliterated the Middle East.
Despite eight months of conflict that have severely damaged the Iranian economy and military, Trump noted that Tehran is eager to reach an agreement and that negotiations are underway. President Masoud Pezeshkian stated this week that his administration continues efforts to resolve the crisis through diplomatic dialogue, while regional mediators maintain contacts to forestall a wider escalation.