A chaotic situation is unfolding in the Persian Gulf as the US officially violates the ceasefire. While Iranian and Western media report a convergence on the issues of frozen assets and uranium, the Americans have struck the port of Bandar Abbas, the city of Shirik, and the city of Jask in Iran with missiles, targeting Iranian missile launchers and the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Negotiations amidst these new bombings will complicate the possibility of an understanding between the Iranians and the Americans, though some believe a deal is nearing while others argue that the divide on many points remains significant.
The US Pentagon confirmed attacks on missile launchers in southern Iran
American forces attacked missile launchers and vessels in southern Iran, the US Pentagon stated. "US forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran to protect our forces from threats posed by Iranian forces. The targets included missile launch sites and Iranian vessels attempting to lay mines," said Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Simultaneously, the military official assured that there was no discussion regarding a termination of the ceasefire.
Marco Rubio (US Secretary of State): The Strait of Hormuz will open one way or another
Following the new American strikes on Iranian targets, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the straits in the Middle East will reopen one way or another. "The straits must be open, they will be open one way or another, they must be open," Marco Rubio declared. The Secretary of State added that it may take several days to agree on the wording of a deal with Iran. The spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces attacked missile launchers and vessels in southern Iran that were allegedly attempting to lay mines.
Khatam al-Anbiya (Central Command of Iran): The US only understands the language of force, prepare for oil at $200
A spokesperson for the Central Operational Headquarters Khatam al-Anbiya of the Iranian Armed Forces commented on the American strikes in southern Iran on the social media platform X. According to him, as long as Washington continues its "military adventures" in the Middle East and near Iran, there can be no talk of any agreement. "The US government has repeatedly proven that it only understands the language of force. Prepare for oil at $200 per barrel..."
Dirty provocation against Iran – Bandar Abbas, Shirik, and Jask struck with missiles, not Kharg Island
American missiles struck the runway of the Bandar Abbas airport, a critical port in Iran, according to Iranian media reports. However, reports of an attack or explosions on Kharg Island have been refuted. Some sources and news channels stated that the published reports of an airstrike or fire on Kharg Island were false. Iranian media had reported an attack on Kharg Island that occurred 24 hours ago. If this news were true, the social media post published by Trump could be connected to this event. In that post, Trump had published an image created by artificial intelligence showing a US attack on Iranian speedboats.
What happened at Bandar Abbas?
Regarding Bandar Abbas, Al Jazeera claimed in a tweet: "An Iranian source told me that the explosions heard near Bandar Abbas are related to action by the Revolutionary Guard IRGC, who struck a ship at sea, after which American fighter jets attacked IRGC naval vessels in the Persian Gulf."
Israel and the US attack ships south of Larak Island
According to local sources, American and Israeli fighter jets targeted several Iranian vessels south of Larak Island in Iran. According to local sources, several Iranians were killed in the attacks. Some reports indicate that IRGC and army attack units are on nationwide alert.
The spark has been lit... again
Some sources announced that two IRGC vessels were attacked by Israeli and American fighter jets while on a mission in the Persian Gulf. This claim was ultimately confirmed. Reports indicate that air defense systems have been activated in some areas of southern Iran.
Suspicious explosions in the south
The exact location and origin of some explosions are still unknown. Simultaneously, similar sounds have been heard in the Persian Gulf near the cities of Shirik and Jask. However, an American drone was destroyed by the Iranian armed forces in the Persian Gulf.
Iran-US agreement on frozen assets – Trump "softened" on the uranium transfer issue
Al Jazeera, citing an informed source, reported that mediation by Qatar led to an agreement between the United States and Iran regarding frozen Iranian assets. The media outlet Dropsight reported that it appears Trump is leaning toward accepting Iran's offer to dilute the enriched uranium it possesses domestically and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, rather than sending it to the United States. If this is implemented, one more serious obstacle to a negotiated deal will be removed. The Iranian ambassador to Russia emphasized that "some contradictory positions of the US negotiating team and the president of that country show that they are not coordinated with each other."
Robert Malley (US): Iran will not back down on uranium enrichment
"Pressure will not make Iran abandon enrichment," says Robert Malley, the former US special envoy for Iran. In statements to Al Jazeera, Malley argued that it does not matter how much "pressure" Trump exerts on Tehran, as Tehran is not going to abandon what it considers its "right to enrichment." "They do not want to be deceived again and have their own dignity and their own sense of values," said Malley. This is "something you cannot destroy," even with massive economic or military pressure, the expert stated.
Iran demands release of funds from the West to remove obstacles... progress is being made
The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, is in Qatar, accompanied by the Foreign Minister and the Governor of the Central Bank, aiming for the release of part of the blocked funds in the first phase of the potential implementation of the memorandum of understanding. Iran insists that part of the frozen money be released in this process because Iran does not trust the Americans and wants to achieve definitive results. The importance of the issue is such that Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, as the head of the negotiation team, traveled to Doha, Qatar, to monitor the issue in talks with the Emir of Qatar. An informed source stated to Tasnim that progress was made during this trip.
National Security Council of Iran: No retreat from red lines
The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, stated that the Islamic Republic "will not retreat" amidst reports of a potential deal between Iran and the US. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr emphasized that there will be no surrender or retreat, saying: "this was proven by the military sector, the diplomatic sector, and the people who are present in the streets with their strong resistance and pinned the enemy to the ground." Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr emphasized the importance of unity among the nation to thwart the enemies' plans. "Now, more than ever, the country needs unity and cohesion, so that the Americans and Zionists will also be disappointed in this regard." According to Iran, the indirect talks with the United States are focused on ending aggression on all fronts and the issue of nuclear weapons or the management of the Strait of Hormuz will not be discussed.
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