The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran showed signs of collapse after fresh exchanges of fire in the Gulf, raising fears of a renewed escalation in a conflict already disrupting global energy routes and regional stability.
Iranian officials accused the United States of violating the ceasefire after American forces struck vessels in the Gulf of Oman, an area critical to maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command confirmed that an F/A-18 Super Hornet carried out precision strikes against two ships it said were heading toward Iran.
An Iranian military official said Tehran’s navy had responded to what it described as a breach of the truce, claiming the clashes had since ended. However, tensions continued to rise across multiple fronts, with both sides trading accusations over responsibility for renewed hostilities.
In parallel developments, fighting in Lebanon also escalated. Hezbollah launched missiles and drones at Israeli military positions in response to recent strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon. Local authorities reported 11 fatalities in Israeli strikes on Thursday, underscoring the widening regional dimension of the conflict.
Diplomatic efforts remain ongoing but uncertain. The United States has submitted a proposal through Pakistani intermediaries seeking to extend the ceasefire and open negotiations on a broader settlement. Iran’s foreign ministry said the proposal is still under review.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz as “unacceptable,” emphasising Washington’s expectation of a serious response to its latest diplomatic offer. President Donald Trump said he was awaiting a response from Tehran, suggesting further developments could come soon.
A separate intelligence assessment reported by US officials suggested Iran could sustain economic pressure from a naval blockade for several months, reducing the immediate effectiveness of Western leverage. However, another intelligence source disputed this, arguing that existing disruptions were already causing significant damage to Iran’s economy.
Iran’s UN envoy Amir Saeed Irvani accused the United States of breaching the ceasefire in a formal letter to the United Nations, further intensifying diplomatic friction at the international level.
Satellite monitoring has also revealed an oil slick spreading near Iran’s Kharg Island, a key export hub for the country’s energy sector. The cause of the spill remains unclear, but its location near critical infrastructure has raised environmental and economic concerns.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a large portion of global oil shipments pass, remains a central flashpoint. Earlier in the conflict, Iran partially restricted access to the waterway, prompting market disruption and a spike in global oil prices.
Efforts to stabilise the situation have been complicated by shifting military operations and competing regional interests, with Gulf states expressing concern about escalation risks. Despite ongoing diplomatic engagement, neither side appears closer to a lasting agreement, and uncertainty continues to dominate the region’s outlook.
