Iran says ceasefire ‘meaningless’ after latest US strikes
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has said that the latest US strikes have effectively rendered the ceasefire between the two countries “meaningless.” In a statement on Thursday, the ministry strongly condemned the “illegal and criminal attacks” by the US, saying they violate the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. The statement added that responsibility for the consequences of the escalating tensions would rest with the US leadership. The remarks came after the US Central Command completed a new wave of strikes, targeting military, surveillance, and radar installations in southern Iran under what it called its “right of self-defence.” Iran also launched attacks targeting US military assets across the region, including facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Ships and oil tankers remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz near the coast of Oman. At the same time, three Indian sailors were killed in a US strike on the Palau-flagged oil tanker Setti Bello, an incident that India’s Shipping Minister described as “deeply tragic.” US Central Command said it had disabled the tanker, which had been accused of violating the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. The Indian government initially reported that three Indian crew members were missing, while 21 other Indian sailors had been rescued. Separately, the Indian Embassy in Oman said it is investigating another incident involving a vessel near an Omani port. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday. Pezeshkian says Iran must move beyond ‘no war, no peace’ situation