Tehran and Washington trade blame amid renewed regional instability

TEHRAN / WASHINGTON — Senior Iranian officials have accused the United States of violating ceasefire understandings, escalating diplomatic tensions at a time of renewed military activity across the Middle East and heightened sensitivity over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Washington had failed to uphold its commitments, citing continued pressure on Iranian maritime routes and what he described as unchecked Israeli military escalation in Lebanon.

“The naval blockade and escalation of war crimes in Lebanon by the genocidal Zionist regime are clear evidence of US noncompliance with the ceasefire,” Ghalibaf wrote on social media platform X. He added that “every choice has a price,” warning of consequences for what Tehran sees as violations of agreements.

Hormuz sovereignty dispute intensifies

Tensions also deepened over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit corridors.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran and Oman are the only states with the authority to “exercise sovereignty” over the waterway, according to Iranian state media. He added that Tehran has introduced a new system to regulate maritime traffic in coordination with Oman.

The remarks came after renewed US warnings regarding the strategic passage, with Iranian officials accusing Washington of attempting to exert control through military and political pressure.

Tehran insists Lebanon link is central to any US deal

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said any agreement with the United States must include guarantees of a ceasefire in Lebanon, where fighting involving Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has intensified.

“We insist that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an essential condition for any deal aimed at ending the war,” Baghaei said, according to Al Jazeera.

He also accused Washington of violating existing ceasefire arrangements and reiterated Iran’s position that it retains the right to take “necessary measures” in defence of national security.

Claims of regional strikes and US military damage

Separate reports citing satellite imagery analysis suggest Iranian strikes have damaged multiple US-linked military facilities across the Middle East since the escalation began in February.

Facilities reportedly affected include bases in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, and Oman. Analysts cited in the report said damage included missile defence systems, surveillance aircraft, fuel depots, and communications infrastructure.

The White House has previously stated that Iran’s military capability has been significantly degraded, though independent analysts suggest Tehran’s response operations have been more extensive than publicly acknowledged.

Military exchanges continue despite ceasefire claims

The US Central Command said it carried out strikes on Iranian military assets following what it described as Iranian drone activity over international waters. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later said it had responded by targeting a US-operated air base in the region.

Air defence alerts were also reported in Kuwait during the latest wave of attacks, highlighting the widening geographic spread of the conflict.

The exchange marks another episode in a pattern of sporadic strikes between the two sides since a reported ceasefire framework took effect earlier this year.

Lebanon remains key flashpoint

At the same time, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues in Lebanon, where civilian displacement and casualties have risen sharply.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered further strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs, while Hezbollah continues launching drone attacks against Israeli positions.

The United States has proposed a phased de-escalation plan involving an initial halt to Hezbollah attacks in exchange for restraint from Israel, though diplomatic progress remains uncertain.

Trump pushes deal narrative amid criticism

US President Donald Trump has maintained that negotiations with Iran are progressing and that a nuclear-related understanding is still possible.

In a late-night social media post, he urged critics to “relax,” insisting that diplomatic efforts would ultimately succeed despite ongoing hostilities and political opposition.

However, major gaps remain between Washington and Tehran over sanctions relief, uranium enrichment limits, and control of strategic maritime routes.

Oil markets and global stakes

Oil prices have risen amid uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments. Analysts warn that any prolonged disruption could have immediate global economic consequences.

With diplomacy fragile and military exchanges continuing, the region remains on edge as both sides signal readiness for further escalation while publicly insisting they prefer negotiation.

Outlook

Despite competing claims of ceasefire compliance and diplomatic progress, both Tehran and Washington remain deeply divided over core security and political demands.

The Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon conflict, and Iran’s nuclear programme continue to define a volatile geopolitical triangle with limited signs of immediate resolution.