US, Iran exchange strikes despite ceasefire as tensions persist

The United States and Iran have exchanged fresh military strikes, raising concerns over the durability of the ceasefire and ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict that began in February.

 

Iran said it launched attacks on US military sites in the Gulf in retaliation for American strikes on Iranian military positions, while Washington accused Tehran of attacking a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces struck Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar installations, in response to what it described as an unprovoked attack on commercial shipping that violated the ceasefire agreement.

 

Iranian state television reported that an explosion occurred at Taherouyeh Pier in the southern port city of Sirik, attributing it to a projectile strike. However, the Mehr News Agency said port operations continued normally and no damage to facilities had been reported.

 

US President Donald Trump condemned the alleged Iranian drone attack on the cargo vessel, describing it as “a foolish violation of our ceasefire agreement.”

 

Vice President JD Vance also warned that any further attacks by Iran would be met with a strong response.

 

Shortly afterwards, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced they had carried out retaliatory strikes against US targets in the Gulf region, warning that any further American attacks would provoke a broader response.

 

Despite the renewed hostilities, oil prices fell on expectations that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy exports, would remain open.

 

Meanwhile, Israel, Lebanon and the United States signed a framework agreement in Washington aimed at reducing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.

 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the agreement as the beginning of a framework for lasting peace and security, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it represented a strategic victory against Iran.

 

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the agreement as an initial step toward restoring state authority in southern Lebanon, although Hezbollah criticised the deal, arguing it undermined broader regional peace efforts linked to the US-Iran negotiations.

 

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, also stressed the need for robust verification measures in any final agreement to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.

 

Under the interim arrangement, Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium is expected to be diluted under IAEA supervision as part of confidence-building measures.