{"text":[[{"start":11.95,"text":"The US military has launched what it called “a series of powerful strikes” against Iran in response to the Islamic republic’s attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz."}],[{"start":22.35,"text":"US Central Command announced the strikes on Tuesday evening in Washington, hours after the Treasury revoked a general licence allowing sales of Iranian oil, reflecting rising tensions between Tehran and Washington."}],[{"start":37.3,"text":"“Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway,” Centcom said. "}],[{"start":51.5,"text":"“The US strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous and a clear violation of the ceasefire,” it added."}],[{"start":65.75,"text":"A US official said that American forces struck Iranian military targets. "}],[{"start":70.8,"text":"“The number of targets this time may be around eight times more than the previous round of strikes more than a week ago,” the official said."}],[{"start":79.05,"text":"The new strikes could put a weeks-long ceasefire between the US and Iran at risk and came as Iranians have been holding funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. "}],[{"start":90.95,"text":"The escalation came while US President Donald Trump was in Turkey for the Nato summit, where his war on Iran is a focus of the talks with leaders of the transatlantic military alliance."}],[{"start":103.15,"text":"Washington has grown impatient with the pace of talks with Iran to implement the “memorandum of understanding” to extend the ceasefire by 60 days that was signed last month by the two countries in a bid to end the conflict. "}],[{"start":116.35000000000001,"text":"Oil prices hit a two-week high following the strikes. Brent crude opened 2.8 per cent higher at $76.20 a barrel as trading began in Asia on Wednesday morning."}],[{"start":130.10000000000002,"text":"Tasnim News Agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guards, reported that seven explosions were heard near the village of Tahrouei in Sirik. "}],[{"start":138.75000000000003,"text":"The latest US attack comes as senior Iranian political and military figures, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Mostafa Khamenei, the late leader’s eldest son, have travelled to Iraq to take part in the funeral processions."}],[{"start":155.35000000000002,"text":"The commander of the Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, who oversees the Revolutionary Guards’ military operations abroad, also arrived in Najaf on Tuesday evening for the ceremonies. His trip was announced publicly in an unusual disclosure of his movements. "}],[{"start":170.50000000000003,"text":"Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said the US ultimately intended to route its warships through the Strait of Hormuz by establishing a new shipping lane in Omani waters currently used by commercial vessels."}],[{"start":184.30000000000004,"text":"Iranian analysts say the Islamic republic will not compromise its control over the Strait of Hormuz, even if doing so results in the collapse of the MOU."}],[{"start":194.10000000000005,"text":"Earlier on Tuesday, the US Treasury had revoked a general licence for the sale of Iranian oil that had been issued after the pact was agreed last month "}],[{"start":203.00000000000006,"text":"A US official said the Treasury wanted to impose “consequences” on Iran because its “actions in the Strait were wholly unacceptable”."}],[{"start":210.50000000000006,"text":"“As President Trump and the administration have repeatedly affirmed, the MOU in effect with Iran is entirely performance-based. Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behaviour,” the US official said. "}],[{"start":223.35000000000005,"text":"Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, warned the US of the consequences of any breach of its commitments, saying Tehran would take “decisive measures to safeguard its national interests and security”."}],[{"start":243.50000000000003,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1783471258_2832.mp3"}