Tehran has officially blamed Washington and Tel Aviv for the collapse of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and the region. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, at a press conference in Tehran, said that "the Zionist regime and the United States are violating the ceasefire" and warned that the Islamic Republic does not intend to back down from measures to protect its security and stability in the region.
Baghaei emphasized that the actions of the United States and Israel are not simply isolated incidents, but a continuation of a full-scale war against the peoples of the Middle East. He said that Tehran "considers itself obliged to take practical steps" if violations of the ceasefire and encroachments on Iranian interests continue. According to the diplomat, all decision-making centers in Iran are already studying options for retaliatory measures, and the country is doing everything necessary to support Lebanon and the resistance forces against Israeli attacks.
These statements came against the backdrop of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's order to strike the southern suburb of Beirut, as well as after US Central Command airstrikes on Iranian air defense systems and a ground control station in the Gurok area and on Qeshm Island. Washington explained these strikes as a response to the downing of an American drone by Iranian forces over international waters. Tehran, in turn, viewed these actions as part of a large-scale escalation, which intensified rhetoric about violations of the ceasefire and threats of retaliation.
On the negotiation track, Baghaei noted that ongoing indirect contacts with the US on ending the war "depend on the other side refraining from putting forward unilateral new conditions." He repeated that "negotiations do not mean there is trust between the parties," and pointed out that contradictory positions of the American side explain the protracted nature of the process. At the same time, the Iranian diplomat stressed that at this stage there is no detailed discussion of the nuclear program, since Tehran's priority is precisely the cessation of the war.
Baghaei also reported that one of the 14 points of the draft memorandum of understanding with Washington is lifting the American maritime blockade of Iranian ports. He highly praised Qatar's role in the talks to end the war. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the diplomat said that Iran has the right to measures to ensure its security and interests, and noted that ships transit the strait in coordination with the Iranian armed forces. Tehran advocates the creation of a mechanism involving other littoral states for safe passage that does not affect Iran's national security. Although the US and Iran exchanged proposals via Pakistan, and President Trump repeatedly spoke of an imminent deal, disagreements on points such as the unfreezing of Iranian assets and the fate of the nuclear program remain a serious obstacle. In this deadlock, Tehran states that it is closely monitoring developments and is ready to take necessary defensive measures while continuing to support Lebanon.
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Why do Qeshm Island and the Gurok area have strategic significance for Iran, and what is located there? – Qeshm Island is the largest island in the Persian Gulf, located near the Strait of Hormuz. It is strategically important because it hosts military bases, oil terminals, and a gas production center (including the South Pars field). The Gurok (Gureh) area is a port and naval base on Iran’s coast, providing control over shipping and quick access to the strait. These facilities allow Iran to control sea lanes and protect its energy resources.
What is the significance of the Strait of Hormuz for Iran, and why is control over it contested? – The Strait of Hormuz is a key maritime route through which about 20–25% of global oil trade passes. For Iran it is a "gateway" to the Indian Ocean and a source of influence on world prices. Iran considers the strait part of its national security zone, while the US and its allies insist on freedom of navigation. Disputes arise from Iran's attempts to restrict ship movements in response to sanctions, which leads to tensions and the threat of a blockade.
Why are Qatar and Pakistan acting as intermediaries in talks between Iran and the US? – Qatar has long-standing diplomatic and economic ties with Iran (the shared North/South Pars gas field) and simultaneously maintains trusted relations with the US (the Al Udeid airbase). Pakistan also maintains good relations with Iran (a shared border, security issues in Balochistan) and has regional influence due to its role in the Islamic world. Both countries act as neutral mediators capable of conveying the parties' positions without direct confrontation.
Full version: Iran accuses America and Israel of violating the ceasefire and threatens a response