Iran Accuses US of Violating Ceasefire with New Air Strikes

Tehran. Iran has accused the United States of a 'serious violation' of the ceasefire by launching new air strikes on its country. 

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday that it had targeted boats attempting to place Iranian missiles and mines in southern Iran in an 'attack in self-defense'. 

Iran's Foreign Ministry has warned that the US will be responsible for the consequences of this aggressive and unjustified move in the Hormozgan region. The Hormozgan region is strategically located on the coast of the Strait of Hormuz, and its closure by Iran has led to a sharp increase in energy prices worldwide. It is not yet clear how this new military confrontation will affect the ongoing peace talks aimed at ending the conflict.

The Iranian ministry said in a statement, 'Without a doubt, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not leave any evil unanswered and will not hesitate to defend the Iranian people.'

This war began after the US and Israel launched several deadly attacks on Iran on February 28, in which even Iran's Supreme Leader lost his life. After weeks of intense fighting, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the two sides on April 8, and except for a major clash in early May, this ceasefire had been largely observed by both sides. However, Monday's incident has once again made the situation tense. 

Although CENTCOM claimed that these attacks were carried out in self-defense to protect its soldiers from potential threats from Iranian forces, it did not disclose the exact location of the attack. The New York Times, citing an official, mentioned that the area near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas was targeted, where the main base of the Iranian Navy is located in the Strait of Hormuz. 

Iranian state media also reported that local authorities had begun an investigation after loud explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas. Later, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have shot down a US drone that entered its airspace and fired at a fighter jet, but did not clarify when this incident occurred.

This military confrontation comes at a time when talks are underway with the aim of extending the current ceasefire and ultimately ending the conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that a deal through negotiations is still possible, but it will take a few days.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump indicated at the end of the week that a deal was initially close, but later said he had instructed his negotiators 'not to rush' for a deal. According to US media, the potential agreement is not a final solution but a memorandum of understanding that includes a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and further talks on Iran's nuclear program. Iran also acknowledged some progress in the talks on Monday but made it clear that a deal was 'not imminent'.

The main obstacle in the talks is reportedly Tehran's demand for the release of Iranian funds frozen abroad. Pakistan is the main mediator of this peace talk, but Iranian negotiators are in talks with Qatari mediators in Doha this week.

An official familiar with the Doha visit told Reuters news agency that the governor of Iran's Central Bank participated in Monday's talks and discussed the frozen assets. The discussion primarily focused on Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the Strait of Hormuz.

Since the war began on February 28, Iran has effectively closed this vital waterway, which accounts for about one-fifth of the world's total oil supply. The US, Israel, and many Western countries have accused Iran of enriching uranium to build nuclear weapons, while Iran claims its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.