Iran condemns US strikes as ceasefire breach amid Doha talks
US Central Command defends attacks as self-defence, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio insists a diplomatic deal remains possible despite the escalation.
Iran has formally accused the United States of committing a "gross violation" of the ceasefire following air strikes on Iranian missile sites and mining vessels in the Hormozgan region over the past 48 hours. The attacks occurred while Iranian and Qatari negotiators were in Doha for peace talks mediated by Pakistan, raising immediate concerns about the stability of the fragile truce that began on 8 April.
United States Central Command described the operations as "self-defence strikes" targeting Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to place mines in the area. The US military stated that the actions were necessary to counter threats from Iranian forces, framing the military response as a defensive measure against ongoing hostile activities in the region.
In response, Iran’s foreign ministry held the United States responsible for the consequences of what it termed "aggressive and unjustified actions" in the Hormozgan region, which borders the Strait of Hormuz. A statement from Tehran warned that the Islamic Republic would not hesitate to defend the nation and would ensure that "any evil" is answered, signalling a hardening of position despite the ongoing diplomatic engagement.
Despite the military escalation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that a diplomatic deal remains possible, though he acknowledged the process may take several days. The negotiations, which have been primarily mediated by Pakistan, are currently focused on critical sticking points, including Iran’s request for the release of frozen funds held abroad and the status of its uranium programme.
An official briefed on the Doha visit indicated that Iran’s central bank governor attended Monday’s talks specifically to discuss the frozen assets. Discussions have centred on Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, with Washington and its allies accusing Tehran of enriching uranium for nuclear weapons purposes, a claim Iran denies, maintaining its programme is for peaceful purposes only.
Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran began on 28 February. The vital shipping lane, through which around one fifth of the world's oil passes, has seen a spike in global energy prices due to the disruption, adding significant economic pressure to the diplomatic efforts.
