Iran on May 26 (local time) accused the US of violating the ceasefire agreement after Washington launched attacks on targets near the Strait of Hormuz, a move believed to potentially complicate efforts to end the months-long war in the region.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry on May 26 declared that US airstrikes in the southern province of Hormozgan were a "serious violation" of the ceasefire that had been maintained for nearly 7 weeks. Iranian media previously reported that many explosions appeared in the area on the same morning.
The US side affirmed that the attacks were defensive, targeting missile locations and ships believed to be trying to plant naval mines. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is mandatory "in one way or another".
US Secretary of State Macro Rubio said that it may take "a few more days" to reach an agreement to prevent conflict from continuing. Previously, both Washington and Tehran said that indirect negotiations had made progress towards an initial memorandum of understanding to end fighting and restore maritime operations through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the proposed plan, the initial agreement would create a 60-day framework for the parties to continue resolving more complex issues, including Iran's nuclear program.
Mr. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, head of the Iranian negotiating delegation, returned from Qatar after discussions related to the release of about 24 billion USD of frozen Iranian assets. ISNA news agency described the negotiations in Qatar as generally positive signals.
The conflict, which began after attacks by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28, has caused a serious shock to global energy supplies. Fuel, fertilizer and food prices rose sharply amid a sharp drop in transport volume through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it reserves the right to respond to US attacks. The group said that Iranian air defense units shot down a US drone, and opened fire on another UAV and a fighter jet accused of entering Iranian airspace in the Gulf region.
