Iran, US Continue Attacks in Gulf Despite Ceasefire, Each Accuses Other of Violations

Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated again with both accusing the other for breaking the fragile ceasefire that was meant to end their four-month-long conflict.

Iran announced on Sunday, it carried out a third consecutive day of retaliatory attacks saying they were in response to recent US strikes inside the country. The latest clashes hopes for the Pakistan-brokered peace deal the war that began in February.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said security had been stepped up in the Strait of Hormuz, and warned that any vessel violating its rules would face strict consequences. According to Iran, the only approved route for commercial ships is a designated corridor running along its coast.

The Guards said they had launched attacks targeting US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. Eight US military sites were struck, including the Ali al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain’s Port Salman as per statement.

The Revolutionary Guards vowed a “crushing response” to any hostile action against Iran, regardless of its size.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry confirmed that air raid sirens sounded twice on Sunday following the reported attacks.

The current ceasefire was based on a memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June through Pakistan’s mediation. Under the agreement, both Iran and the United States, along with their allies, pledged not to launch military operations or threaten the use of force against one another.

Trump warns Iran

US President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that Iran would “no longer exist” if the United States was forced to resume the war.

His remarks came after US forces carried out fresh strikes on several Iranian targets, accusing Tehran of violating the ceasefire agreement.

Trump said in a Truth Social post US aircraft had attacked Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar installations.

He warned that continued action by Iran, then United States might be forced to launch further military operations.

Fresh attacks in the Gulf

According to US Central Command, Saturday’s action followed after an Iranian drone hit the Panama-flagged tanker Kiku, carrying nearly two million barrels of oil.

The strikes targeted surveillance systems, communication networks, air defence sites, drone storage facilities, and mine-laying capabilities according to the US military.

Following the attacks, Iranian media reported explosions in Sirik and Qeshm, in the south of the country.

The US had launched similar strikes a day earlier, after claiming Iran had attacked the commercial vessel Ever Lovely.

Iran convicted the latest US attacks, calling them a clear damage of the fleeting ceasefire settlement.

While Iran has cautioned ships not to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without its permission, commercial vessels have continued using the waterway, with some taking routes not approved by Tehran.

Under the memorandum of understanding, Iran had agreed to allow commercial ships to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz free of charge for 60 days.

Tensions over Lebanon

A US-backed deal signed by Israel and Lebanon on Friday, continue to stay high tensions in Lebanon. A day later, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected the deal describing it as humiliating and a loss of sovereignty. Instead, he demanded full enforcement of the US-Iran agreement as it also seeks to stop the conflict in Lebanon. While Hezbollah demands Israel leave southern Lebanon entirely, though the agreement does not include this. Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli troops will remain in the security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed, calling the agreement a major success. Itamar Ben Gvir, however, called the deal was a mistake.