The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran appeared to collapse Monday as Washington launched another wave of attacks across Iran and Tehran claimed retaliatory strikes against American military sites in several Middle Eastern countries.
The escalation followed an intense weekend in which the US military said it struck at least 140 targets inside Iran. Explosions were later reported in Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Jask, along with Qeshm Island, as American forces targeted Iranian defence systems, coastal radar installations and military assets.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they responded by attacking US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan. The renewed exchange has deepened uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, where Washington and Tehran both claim authority over security and commercial access.
Iran Warns US Against Intervention in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s armed forces rejected any American role in managing the strategic waterway and warned regional governments against supporting Washington.
“We do not and will not allow the United States to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz,” said Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, in comments carried by state broadcaster IRIB.
Zolfaghari said Iranian forces would “deal severely with any disruption and insecurity” outside routes designated by Tehran.
“Any cooperation with the United States and logistical support for that country’s aggressor army will be considered a war against Iran’s sovereignty and national security,” Zolfaghari said, adding the war could “engulf all the countries in the region”.
Commercial activity through the strait has fallen sharply amid the latest attacks, increasing concerns over global energy supplies and maritime security. The waterway handled about 20 per cent of global oil and gas shipments before the war began in February.
Trump Threatens Further Strikes Against Iran
US President Donald Trump accused Tehran of violating an interim agreement and warned the United States would respond with greater force.
“It was a done deal and then they broke it. They always break it. We’ve had 10 deals with these people – and so we’re just going to hit them very hard,” a White House statement quoted the president as saying.
“They’re a bad group of people. They’ve been this way for a long time,” Trump added.
The latest fighting has effectively ended the ceasefire framework reached in June, with both governments blaming the other for renewed hostilities.
Trump Says US Will Become ‘Guardian’ of Hormuz
During a telephone interview with Fox News on Monday, Trump said the United States planned to control and protect the Strait of Hormuz while seeking payment from wealthy allied countries that depend on the shipping route.
“We’re going to keep the strait and we’ll probably run it. We’ll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we’ll call it the guardian angel of the strait, and we should be reimbursed for that,” he said.
“We’re going to get paid for guarding it – a lot of money,” Trump added. “We’re going to be reimbursed because the other nations are very wealthy. They’re on our side and we can’t be expected to do that for nothing.”
With American and Iranian forces continuing attacks across the region, the confrontation over Hormuz now risks further disruption to commercial shipping, higher energy prices and a wider conflict involving countries hosting US military facilities.
