Manama: Tensions between the United States and Iran have flared up again after both sides launched heavy retaliatory attacks, amid a stalemate in ceasefire negotiations. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that military aircraft attacked Iranian ground control stations and drones on Qeshm Island in a swift response to a detected threat. The island is strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz and is also home to a local desalination plant. At the same time, the U.S. continues its strict maritime blockade. CENTCOM confirmed that it used Hellfire missiles to strike and halt the passage of the Botswana-flagged oil tanker M/T Lexie, which ignored warnings while en route to Khark Island, a major Iranian oil export port.
According to Thai News Agency, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated by firing guided missiles and drones at the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain, as well as targets in Kuwait. Reports indicate that some guided missiles malfunctioned, either falling before reaching their targets or exploding in mid-air. Three other missiles targeting Bahrain were intercepted by U.S. and Bahraini air defense systems. No U.S. personnel or forces were injured or killed, and no military property was damaged. The U.S. also denied Iran's claim that it could attack the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, stating that the information was false.
Regarding progress on a ceasefire agreement, although U.S. President Donald Trump claims the negotiation process is continuing and reports of a collapse are fake news, in reality, Iran has announced a suspension of negotiations and the exchange of proposals through intermediaries with the U.S., according to the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim. This is because a key condition has not been met. Iran has demanded that any ceasefire agreement cover the situation in Lebanon. However, Israel continues its airstrikes in southern Lebanon, which Iran views as a violation of the agreement by the U.S.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured Congress that sanctions against Iran would only be eased if Iran agreed to end its nuclear program and reduce its enriched uranium, a requirement Iran has refused to do by transferring uranium out of the country.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Jafar Assadi, a senior Iranian military commander, stated frankly that the United States wants Iran to surrender completely, which is impossible, and that without concessions, war is inevitable.
In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump said he had not received official notification from Iran about the suspension of talks, and that Iran had not officially notified the U.S. of the matter. He also expressed optimism that an agreement would be reached next week to extend the existing ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, adding that some details still needed to be finalized and that he believed a peace deal could be a better victory than a military one.