Iran says US attacks violate ceasefire, as Israel pounds Lebanon with strikes
Iran accused the US of violating a ceasefire after strikes in Hormozgan province, calling the actions a 'gross violation' and reserving the right to retaliate, while Israel intensified airstrikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah and expanding ground operations. The US claimed its strikes were defensive, targeting missile sites and boats attempting to lay mines, while negotiations for a broader deal to halt the conflict remain stalled over Iran's demand for the release of frozen assets.
Iran’s foreign ministry condemned US airstrikes in Hormozgan province as a 'gross violation' of a fragile ceasefire, asserting the country’s right to retaliate after explosions were reported early Tuesday. The US Central Command stated the strikes targeted Iranian missile sites and boats laying mines, framing them as defensive measures. Iranian media reported air defense units downed a US drone and engaged another drone and fighter jet over the Gulf region, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei reiterated anti-US and anti-Israel slogans during the hajj pilgrimage. Meanwhile, Israel deepened its operations in Lebanon, launching over 120 airstrikes in a single day—the heaviest in weeks—while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to intensify attacks on Hezbollah. A US official noted the Iran-backed militant group had ignored warnings to halt operations risking wider escalation. The conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has disrupted global oil trade, with the Strait of Hormuz—normally carrying 20% of global oil—seeing drastically reduced traffic. Negotiations for a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities remain stalled, with Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, returning from Qatar after pushing for the release of $33 billion in frozen assets. Iranian media cited a source claiming the funds were the final obstacle to an initial deal, which would grant negotiators 60 days to address broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear program. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested talks could take 'a few days,' emphasizing the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. The conflict has triggered an oil supply shock, with Brent crude prices surging over 4% following the latest strikes. China urged both sides to respect the truce and resolve disputes peacefully, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards allowed 25 oil tankers and vessels to pass through the strait in the past 24 hours under their supervision. Iran also demanded a halt to fighting in Lebanon, where a mid-April ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has repeatedly collapsed.
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