Tehran labels US attacks ‘gross violation’, says it is prepared to respond

Iran’s foreign ministry says that US strikes in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province represent a “gross violation” ⁠of the fragile ceasefire in place since early April. The commander of the Revolutionary Guard’s Aerospace Force, Seyed Majid Moosavi, said it is prepared to respond, criticising ongoing diplomacy, saying “negotiation with the enemy is pure loss” in a post on X. Recommended Stories list of 4 items end of list He said the air force – which oversees Iran’s strategic ballistic missile and drone programmes – remains “highly vigilant, fully prepared for a decisive, swift response,” and is awaiting final orders from their commander-in-chief. Attacks come amid intense negotiations Both sides had indicated progress on a memorandum of understanding that could halt the war and restart shipping through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqr Qalibaf, its foreign minister and its central bank governor were in Doha on Monday for talks with Qatar’s prime minister on a potential deal, an official briefed on the visit said. Qalibaf has now returned to Iran after consultations with Qatari officials, Iran’s state television has reported. He has been seeking agreement on the release of about $24bn in Iranian funds frozen overseas as part of the memorandum of understanding, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported, citing a source close to the negotiating team. …