Iran, US Exchange Strikes as Ceasefire Tensions Escalate
The latest exchange has placed further strain on a fragile ceasefire agreement reached in April after more than a month of hostilities sparked by US and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory. Despite the tensions, Washington and Tehran are reportedly engaged in discussions aimed at drafting a memorandum of understanding that would extend the truce by an additional 60 days and reopen negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that it carried out what it described as “measured and deliberate strikes” on Saturday and Sunday “in response to aggressive Iranian actions that included the shootdown of a US MQ-1 drone that was operating over international waters.” It further accused Iran of “unwarranted… aggression during the ongoing ceasefire.”
Iran, however, announced that it had downed the unmanned aerial vehicle on Sunday, claiming it was operating illegally in Iranian airspace over the Persian Gulf.
According to CENTCOM, US fighter jets conducted what it called “self-defense strikes” targeting Iranian radar installations and drone command-and-control facilities located in Goruk and on Qeshm Island.
Later, the IRGC stated that it had responded to what it described as an American strike on a communications tower on Sirik Island, saying its forces had taken retaliatory action against the origin point of the attack.
“The IRGC targeted the air base, from which the [US] attack originated, and the predetermined targets were destroyed,” it said.
The statement did not specify the exact location of the air base, although reports from regional sources indicated that air defenses in a Gulf state intercepted incoming missiles and drones during the incident.
The IRGC also issued a warning that “that if the aggression is repeated, the response will be completely different” and placed responsibility for any escalation on the United States.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Tehran has been revising elements of a draft memorandum of understanding following indications that a revised proposal was sent by US President Donald Trump. According to sources cited in reports, negotiations over the text remain ongoing, with both sides continuing to submit amendments as talks proceed.
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