Iran-US Ceasefire Deal Faces Renewed Strain as IRGC Intensifies Hormuz Offensive
The fragile memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States, signed last week, is now under significant strain following a second consecutive night of military exchanges in the Strait of Hormuz. Compounding the situation is a separate US-brokered agreement that permits Israeli troops to remain in southern Lebanon, further complicating stabilization efforts in the region.
On Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran released footage of ballistic missile launches aimed at US military installations. The missiles bore messages in both English and Persian, accusing US President Donald Trump of engaging in a “defeated war.” The IRGC claimed responsibility for targeting the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, describing these strikes as retaliation for ongoing US attacks on Iranian positions. The elite military unit warned of further military action should Washington violate the newly signed agreement again.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Intensify
The recent confrontations follow US efforts, in collaboration with Oman and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to reroute commercial vessels away from Iranian-controlled waters due to heightened security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran has targeted a container ship and an oil tanker using explosive-laden drones, reportedly aiming to compel international shipping back through routes monitored by Iranian authorities.
During a visit to Iraq, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran would maintain exclusive oversight of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for the next 30 days before allowing normal maritime traffic to resume. He emphasized that the first clause of the Iran-US memorandum mandates an immediate and permanent halt to military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon, urging Washington to pressure Israel to cease its military actions in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon Agreement Adds New Friction
The diplomatic landscape has grown more complex following a US-brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, which allows Israeli forces to remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed. Iranian officials contend that this arrangement contradicts the recently signed memorandum with the US, while Hezbollah has outright rejected the agreement, labeling it a surrender of Lebanon’s sovereignty. Analysts suggest that the discord over Lebanon could jeopardize the broader Iran-US understanding before it has a chance to solidify.
Hormuz Seen as Iran’s Strongest Leverage
Foreign policy experts assert that Tehran is leveraging its control over the Strait of Hormuz as a critical bargaining chip. Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, noted that Iran views the strategic waterway as a “golden card,” as disruptions to global oil shipments have placed immense pressure on international markets and heightened political costs for Washington and its allies. Mortazavi indicated that Tehran aims to position itself as the central authority coordinating maritime traffic through the strait, rather than reverting to pre-war arrangements.
Iranian Leadership Shows United Front
As tensions escalate, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei convened for their first publicly disclosed trilateral meeting since the conflict began over four months ago. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after his death earlier in the conflict, issued a statement pledging that those responsible for attacks on Iran would face consequences. Supporters of the Islamic Republic held demonstrations overnight, commending the recent IRGC strikes, while hardline politicians called for an even more robust response against the United States and Israel. Some conservative analysts have advocated for closer military cooperation with Russia and China, arguing that Tehran should utilize both powers to challenge American military assets throughout the Middle East.
Economic Fallout Grows
The renewed military confrontations have also unsettled Iran’s economy. Following two nights of strikes, the Iranian rial lost much of the gains it had achieved after the signing of the memorandum with Washington, dropping to approximately 1.7 million rials per US dollar in Tehran’s open market. The Tehran Stock Exchange faced significant pressure, with its benchmark index plummeting by more than 100,000 points during Sunday’s trading session. Business owners have expressed concerns about the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire, which has once again unsettled markets. Merchants in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar reported shortages of imported automotive parts and rapidly rising prices, with many fearing that the conflict could reignite despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
While the memorandum had temporarily eased tensions, the recent exchanges of strikes and escalating disputes over Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz have raised new doubts about the viability of the fragile agreement.
As reported by www.timesnownews.com.
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Published on 2026-06-28 20:48:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk