Iran Accuses US of Breaching Ceasefire After New Strikes
The United States has been accused by Iran of violating their ceasefire after a series of new strikes targeting Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats threatened diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.
Tehran, Iran – Iran accused the United States of breaching their ceasefire Tuesday after overnight US strikes targeting Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats threatened diplomatic efforts to strike a deal to end the war.
The Brent benchmark oil price jumped by almost three percent following US Central Command's announcement of the new wave of bombings, with China urging both sides to respect the truce and resolve their dispute peacefully.
According to the maritime safety monitor UKMTO, a blast damaged a tanker off the coast of Oman – although the crew and vessel were reportedly safe after what was described as an "external explosion".
Iranian state media reported overnight blasts in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, near the Strait of Hormuz.
The country’s Revolutionary Guards Corps stated that its forces had downed a US drone entering its airspace and fired at an F-35 fighter jet.
The Iranian foreign ministry claimed that the recent bombings violated the ceasefire agreement and warned that Iran would not hesitate to defend itself.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei asserted that Washington's influence in the Middle East was waning, urging regional countries to stop hosting bases from which the US could launch attacks.
US Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins confirmed the strikes, stating that they were conducted to protect US troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.
The targets included missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines, although specific details of the operations were not disclosed.
Despite these developments, Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintained that a deal was still within reach.
However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open for oil and gas shipping.
Iran seeks control over this key route, with negotiations ongoing in Qatar to reach an agreement.
Tehran's negotiators are reportedly seeking the release of frozen assets as part of the negotiations.
The estimated value of these assets is $24 billion according to a 14-point memorandum of understanding reached by both sides.
A delegation led by Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, arrived in Qatar for further discussions on implementing this agreement and accessing the first phase of funds.
The recent strikes threaten the ceasefire established on April 8 as both countries continue to negotiate a peace accord.
The Brent benchmark oil price jumped by almost three percent following US Central Command's announcement of the new wave of bombings, with China urging both sides to respect the truce and resolve their dispute peacefully.
According to the maritime safety monitor UKMTO, a blast damaged a tanker off the coast of Oman – although the crew and vessel were reportedly safe after what was described as an "external explosion".
Iranian state media reported overnight blasts in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, near the Strait of Hormuz.
The country’s Revolutionary Guards Corps stated that its forces had downed a US drone entering its airspace and fired at an F-35 fighter jet.
The Iranian foreign ministry claimed that the recent bombings violated the ceasefire agreement and warned that Iran would not hesitate to defend itself.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei asserted that Washington's influence in the Middle East was waning, urging regional countries to stop hosting bases from which the US could launch attacks.
US Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins confirmed the strikes, stating that they were conducted to protect US troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.
The targets included missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines, although specific details of the operations were not disclosed.
Despite these developments, Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintained that a deal was still within reach.
However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open for oil and gas shipping.
Iran seeks control over this key route, with negotiations ongoing in Qatar to reach an agreement.
Tehran's negotiators are reportedly seeking the release of frozen assets as part of the negotiations.
The estimated value of these assets is $24 billion according to a 14-point memorandum of understanding reached by both sides.
A delegation led by Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, arrived in Qatar for further discussions on implementing this agreement and accessing the first phase of funds.
The recent strikes threaten the ceasefire established on April 8 as both countries continue to negotiate a peace accord.
