Iran and the US accuse the trade of terrorism, threatening the end of the war | US-Israel War on Iran News

Iran and the United States have engaged in trade in the Gulf, raising fears that the long-standing truce between the two countries is fraying.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday it had struck US positions in the Gulf in retaliation for US attacks on Iranian weapons, drones and radar equipment – in response to what Washington said was an Iranian attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

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The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the recent US attack, against Iran’s weapons depots and drone storage facilities and radar sites along the coast, was a response to “indiscriminate aggression against Iranian commercial and military shipments” which “clearly violated the ceasefire”.

Iranian state television, citing a reporter from the southern port of Sirik, said an explosion was heard on Friday at the end of Taheroui.

It quoted a military source as saying that the blast was caused by a firefight in the area.

“Sirik Port is functioning well, and no damage has been reported to its equipment or facilities,” the Mehr news agency said after the explosion.

CENTCOM described the operation as “a strong response to yesterday’s attack on a transiting submarine Hormuz River“.

US President Donald Trump earlier condemned what he described as Iran’s attack on the vessel, saying “obviously, this is a ridiculous violation of our ceasefire agreement.”

Vice President JD Vance issued a more direct warning, writing on X that “violence will be met with violence” if Iran retaliated.

Minutes later, Saturday morning Iran time, state television reported that the IRGC said it had hit US positions in the Gulf region in retaliation for the US attack.

“If the violence is repeated, our response will be greater than this,” the IRGC said, according to a post on the state-run Telegraph channel.

A fragile fire stop

The exchange of fire has raised questions like June 17 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the US and Iran will take effect.

Each side has accused the other of violating the agreement, which includes a ceasefire.

The memorandum was not final but was designed as a precursor to further discussions, including the increased traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, an important trade route for the world.

Iran has warned ships not to enter or leave the Gulf through the Gulf without permission, but ships continue to sail, some using a route not authorized by Tehran.

Despite recent gains, oil prices have fallen sharply on expectations that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will continue to recover.

But Thursday’s attack on the Singapore-registered merchant ship Ever Lovely has sparked tensions between the US and Iran.

Israel’s bombing of Lebanon – in violation of the terms of the memorandum – has also put the agreement at risk.

However, on Friday, after US negotiations, Israel and Lebanon signed “framework agreement” which Washington says aims to end “the cycle of endless conflicts”.

Nuclear security

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has warned that any final US-Iran settlement will require strong safeguards to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

Iran’s nuclear program is a critical issue, with Tehran and Washington offering conflicting talks on whether the administration will regain access to the country’s nuclear program.

“The Iranian government has made it clear that it was not their intention,” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said on Friday about developing nuclear weapons.

“But of course, intentions are not enough. We need to have a proven verification process … as soon as possible.”

Iran’s sub-agreement says its stockpile of enriched uranium – estimated to be 440kg (970lb) before the war, enriched to 60 percent – must be “decreased” under the supervision of the IAEA.