Iran has accused the United States of violating a ceasefire agreement following overnight airstrikes on missile sites and mine-laying boats, warning it is prepared to retaliate as tensions flare across the region.
The allegations came after US Central Command confirmed a new wave of “self-defence strikes” in southern Iran, targeting what it described as missile launch sites and vessels attempting to deploy mines. The strikes, according to US officials, were intended to protect American forces.
Iran’s foreign ministry described the attacks as a “gross violation” of the ceasefire in the Hormozgan region, adding that Tehran “will not leave any aggression unanswered,” without giving further details.
Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while the Revolutionary Guards claimed it had downed a US drone and fired at an F-35 fighter jet. The claims could not be independently verified.
Brent crude oil prices surged by more than four per cent following reports of the renewed hostilities, underscoring global market concerns over potential disruption to energy supplies.
Amid the escalation, China urged both sides to respect the ceasefire and resolve disputes peacefully, warning against further deterioration of regional stability.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said diplomatic efforts were still ongoing, noting that talks in Qatar were making gradual progress despite disagreements over key terms.
He insisted the Strait of Hormuz would remain open, describing any attempt to restrict it as “unlawful” and “unsustainable for the world.”
Iranian officials, meanwhile, indicated that negotiations include discussions on the release of frozen assets estimated at about $24 billion, as part of a proposed framework for ending the conflict.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, also used his Eid al-Adha message to criticise US influence in the Middle East, urging regional states to reconsider hosting foreign military bases.
The ceasefire, which began on April 8 following months of conflict involving US-Israeli airstrikes, now faces renewed uncertainty as both sides exchange accusations and continue limited military actions.
In a separate development, Iran’s internet services saw partial restoration after nearly three months of nationwide disruption, with officials confirming steps toward full reconnection for citizens.
