Iran said Thursday that recent U.S. strikes on its territory have rendered the April 8 ceasefire between the two countries "practically useless," accusing Washington of committing a "flagrant violation" of international law and warning that the consequences of the escalation would fall on U.S. leaders.
In a statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry said the latest attacks constituted "a serious violation of the United Nations Charter" and had "left the ceasefire practically without effect." The ministry said responsibility for the "extremely dangerous consequences" of the attacks rested with the United States and warned neighboring countries against allowing their territory to be used for military operations against Iran.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its determination to neutralize the source of aggressive attacks against Iran," the ministry said according to EFE, describing Tehran's actions as part of its "inherent right to legitimate defense."
The comments came after a second consecutive day of military exchanges between Washington and Tehran. U.S. Central Command said American forces carried out what it described as "self-defense strikes" against military, surveillance and radar sites in southern Iran. The strikes followed Iranian attacks on U.S. military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.
Iranian authorities said U.S. aircraft struck several locations, including areas in southern Iran as well as sites near Karaj and Gorgan. President Donald Trump had earlier accused Tehran of taking too long to negotiate a new agreement and warned that additional military action could follow if talks failed to progress.
The latest escalation also raised concerns over maritime security in the Persian Gulf. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessel traffic, including oil tankers and commercial ships, citing insecurity caused by U.S. military operations.
The command also warned that any vessel attempting to transit the waterway could be targeted.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later said it had struck two vessels attempting to pass through the strait. U.S. Central Command disputed claims that the waterway had been effectively shut down, saying commercial traffic continued to move through the corridor.
The renewed confrontation marks the most serious deterioration of the ceasefire reached in April following weeks of conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the Middle East was being pulled "deeper into crisis," arguing that the ceasefire now resembled "a lesser-fire" rather than a durable truce.
The Middle East is being pulled deeper into crisis & the consequences reach far beyond the region.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 11, 2026
This week has brought wider attacks and further deterioration where the ceasefire is more like a lesser-fire.
We should not minimize the risks of lesser fire becoming full fire.…
