Iran has accused the United States of violating a fragile ceasefire after strikes near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, warning the action could derail efforts to end the wider conflict.
Tensions across the region escalated further as Israel carried out more than 120 air strikes across Lebanon, in one of the most intense bombing campaigns in recent weeks, according to Lebanese security sources. Tehran has demanded an end to Israeli operations in Lebanon as part of any broader settlement.
Iran’s foreign ministry described US strikes in Hormozgan province as a “gross violation” of the ceasefire, which it said had been in place for nearly seven weeks. US officials, however, insisted the operations were defensive, targeting missile sites and vessels suspected of attempting to lay mines.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a potential agreement to halt the conflict could be reached within “a few days”, following what he described as constructive indirect negotiations. Early proposals reportedly include a 30-day framework to restore maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, followed by a longer phase addressing complex issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme.
Oil markets reacted sharply, with Brent crude rising by around 3.5% to near $100 a barrel, reflecting growing fears over disrupted global energy flows.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reportedly warned they reserved the right to retaliate, claiming to have downed a US drone and fired on additional aircraft entering Iranian airspace. The US has not confirmed these claims.
In a separate statement marking the Hajj pilgrimage, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared that anti-US and anti-Israel slogans would continue to define resistance across the Islamic world. Former US President Donald Trump has previously referenced such rhetoric in justifying military pressure on Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly pushed for the release of approximately $24 billion in frozen assets as part of a preliminary deal framework being discussed in Qatar.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “deepening operations” in Lebanon, while Lebanese health authorities reported dozens killed and wounded in recent strikes. The Iran-backed group Hezbollah remains a central actor in the ongoing cross-border conflict.
Analysts warn the combination of naval tensions, regional air strikes, and stalled diplomacy is driving unprecedented instability in global energy markets, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz reduced significantly since the conflict began.