The United States and Iran have resumed military strikes against each other after negotiations aimed at establishing a lasting ceasefire broke down. The escalation marks a critical failure in diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The breakdown came as Iran suspended participation in peace talks, citing Israel's military operations in Lebanon as a violation of ceasefire terms. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that "the ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts."
US forces fired a Hellfire missile to disable a tanker attempting to break through the American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The US military then reported repelling Iranian retaliatory attacks in the region and striking Iranian sites on Qeshm Island.
Iran responded by announcing it had targeted a military base in Kuwait that it claimed was involved in US operations. The Iranian military command issued warnings to residents of northern Israel, threatening attacks if Israel proceeded with strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs.
The collapse of negotiations represents a significant setback after discussions had appeared to approach agreement on Friday. President Donald Trump pulled back from a preliminary deal, demanding revisions to the outline agreement. Trump stated he was not opposed to halting talks, telling NBC News that "going silent would be very good." However, he indicated the US would maintain its blockade on Iranian ports rather than launch immediate military escalation.
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, contended that the US blockade and Israeli actions in Lebanon constituted "clear evidence of US non-compliance" with the ceasefire terms. He warned that "every choice has a price, and the bill comes due."
The ceasefire had technically been in effect since early April, though the US and Iran had exchanged strikes several times during this period. The tensions have raised global concerns, with oil prices climbing close to 100 dollars per barrel.
European leaders expressed alarm at the deteriorating situation. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, Trump, and major Arab leaders on Sunday, urging recognition of the necessity for a ceasefire in Lebanon and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to resume oil transit.
Iran's military command warned that if attacks on Beirut continued, it would request the Houthis in Yemen to establish a second shipping blockade at the Bab al-Mandab strait at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
The situation now stands at a critical juncture, with both nations demonstrating willingness to conduct military operations and raising the risk of broader regional conflict involving multiple actors with interests in the Middle East.