Iran is accusing the U.S. of violating the fragile ceasefire agreement between the two countries after President Trump directed the U.S. Navy to ensure the safe passage of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The new equation of the Strait of Hormuz is in the process of being solidified,” Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote in a post on social platform X early Tuesday.
“The security of shipping and energy transit has been jeopardized by the United States and its allies through the violation of the ceasefire and the imposition of a blockade; of course, their evil will diminish,” he continued. “We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; while we have not even begun yet.
Ghalibaf has been a top negotiator for Iran in the peace talks between the Trump administration and Iranian regime mediated by Pakistan — though the discussions have largely stalled in recent weeks. The U.S., in addition to seeking an updated nuclear deal, is also negotiating control of the Strait of Hormuz with Tehran.
The trading passage has been effectively closed since the onset of the conflict at the end of February, with Iranian counterstrikes in the region endangering vessels traveling through the critical oil shipping route.
Trump imposed a naval blockade in the waterway to place pressure on Iran during the negotiation period.
On Sunday, the president announced that the U.S. Navy would begin “Project Freedom” to aid other countries’ ships trapped in the strait. The U.S. military began providing guidance to these vessels about safe maritime lanes on Monday.
Over 100 aircraft and 15,000 service members are involved in the effort, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said Monday.
Centcom Chief Adm. Brad Cooper told reporters on Monday that the U.S. had fired on and sunk six small Iranian boats after Iran launched “multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats” at the U.S. Navy and commercial ships in the strait.
The United Arab Emirates’ defense ministry said Monday that it had intercepted four drones, three cruise missiles and 12 ballistic missiles launched by Iran on the country.
“The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country, in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability and safeguards its interests and national capabilities,” the department wrote on social media.
Tehran has not confirmed their involvement in the attacks, but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stark warning on Monday afternoon.
“As talks are making progress with Pakistan’s gracious effort, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers,” he wrote in a social media post. “So should the UAE.”
