Iran on Tuesday accused the United States of violating the ceasefire that had been in place for nearly seven weeks, following US airstrikes in the south of the country. Washington, for its part, maintains that it conducted "defensive" operations targeting Iranian ships and missile sites.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the strikes in Hormozgan province constitute a "flagrant violation" of the fragile truce between the two countries. Iranian media reported hearing several explosions early Tuesday morning in this strategic region located near the Strait of Hormuz.
US authorities maintain that the strikes were aimed at neutralizing imminent threats and were defensive measures. Tensions remain extremely high despite ongoing discussions about a possible agreement to end the conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an agreement might still require "a few more days" of negotiations. He acknowledged, however, that the prospects for a swift de-escalation remained uncertain.
Tehran warned that it reserved the right to respond to the strikes, citing self-defense. Iranian officials regularly accuse Washington of seeking to undermine the ceasefire while continuing its military operations in the region.
Despite persistent tensions, several diplomats believe that a lasting cessation of hostilities agreement could pave the way for broader negotiations between the two countries. However, neither US nor Iranian officials seem to believe that a resolution to the crisis is imminent.
The conflict continues to worry the international community, particularly because of the risks to regional stability and the security of strategic maritime routes in the Gulf.
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