Fragile Ceasefire Shaken as US Strikes Iran, Tehran Warns of Consequences
WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran came under severe strain on Thursday after Washington launched fresh military strikes on Iranian targets, prompting Tehran to declare that the truce had been made “practically meaningless.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attacks, calling them an “illegal and criminal” act that violated the ceasefire agreement and threatened to push the region toward deeper instability, according to The Frontier Post. The ministry said responsibility for any serious consequences would rest with US leaders.
The United States military confirmed that it had carried out a new wave of strikes against Iranian military facilities. The operation came after President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would face a forceful response if efforts to reach a peace agreement failed.
United States Central Command said American forces targeted Iranian surveillance systems, communication networks and air defence locations. The command described the action as “self-defense strikes,” saying the targets posed threats to US personnel and international shipping routes in the region.
The strikes involved aircraft and naval assets from the United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force and United States Navy, which used precision-guided weapons against selected sites.
Trump said the United States would continue military pressure while keeping the door open for diplomacy. Speaking at the White House, he said Washington wanted a “meaningful” agreement with Tehran but insisted that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
The president also claimed that secret US operations involving Iranian oil supplies had helped prevent a sharp rise in global energy prices, though details of the claim were not provided.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the strikes, saying they were designed to protect American forces and warning Iran against further confrontation.
As both sides exchange threats and accusations, hopes for a lasting diplomatic solution appear increasingly uncertain. The latest strikes have deepened fears that a carefully maintained ceasefire could collapse, opening a new and dangerous chapter in the long-running US-Iran conflict.
