Iran says weekend U.S. strikes violated framework deal, threatens stronger response

Iranian officials said U.S. strikes over the weekend violated Clause 1 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and would result in a total halt of negotiations. The statement added that violating vessels would face a stronger response than in the past.

The escalation followed a drone attack on the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku, which the U.S. attributed to Iran. U.S. Central Command struck 10 Iranian military targets in and near the Strait of Hormuz, including surveillance infrastructure, air defence sites, drone storage facilities and minelaying capabilities.

Iran then launched ballistic missiles and drones at the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters at Salman Port in Bahrain and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Bahrain's Interior Ministry said a residential building near Bahrain International Airport was damaged, with no fatalities reported.

Military activity and shipping routes Euronews journalists in Doha observed U.S.

Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft taking off from Qatar on Sunday evening and joining other U.S. aircraft circling near the Strait of Hormuz. The flight pattern matched the pattern used during Saturday night's strikes. Iranian state television announced designated safe transit routes, directing inbound ships south of Hormuz Island and outbound vessels south of Larak Island.

Diplomatic statements U.S.

Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said Washington would continue to take down infrastructure used to control an international waterway if needed. He added that talks were continuing as of Sunday afternoon but that the president's patience would not last forever.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the strait would remain under Iran's full oversight for the next 30 days. A statement attributed to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei called for U.S. and Israeli leaders to face trial for what it described as war crimes.