However, just weeks later, both countries have once again become directly involved in military confrontation. The latest attacks have not only raised serious questions about the future of the ceasefire but have also fueled concerns that the agreement may fail in its early stages.

First major confrontation after ceasefire

On June 15, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian agreed on a mutual understanding, under which both sides committed to a 60-day negotiation process and to reducing regional tensions.

However, for the first time since then, both countries have carried out direct military actions against each other, with each side accusing the other of violating the agreement.

Why did the US strike?

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), Iranian coastal areas, missile and drone storage facilities, and radar installations were targeted on Friday night.

Washington says the action was taken in response to an attack on the Singapore-flagged commercial vessel Ever Lovely, which was struck near Oman by an unidentified missile or projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump called the incident a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire and claimed that US forces also destroyed three drones during the operation.

The US military later released video footage of the strikes, stating that Iran’s targeting of commercial shipping constituted a clear violation of the understanding.

Iran’s response

Iran strongly condemned the US strikes, saying that coastal installations near Sirik in the southern province of Hormozgan were targeted. However, it added that no major damage was caused and port operations continued normally.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced retaliatory attacks on US military bases in the region, though full details were not provided. The IRGC warned that any further US actions would be met with a “far stronger response.”

Why is the Strait of Hormuz central to the crisis?

The Strait of Hormuz has become the focal point of the current tensions. A large share of global oil trade passes through this narrow waterway, making it one of the most critical energy routes in the world.

Iran has said that during the conflict it used the strait as a strategic leverage point for national security and diplomatic pressure.

The US and Gulf countries want free and uninterrupted navigation, while Iran insists that any future arrangement must respect its sovereignty and coastal rights.

What did the agreement say about Hormuz?

Under the MoU, Iran reportedly agreed to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days without charging any fees.

During this period, Iran, Oman, and other Gulf states were expected to negotiate a long-term framework. However, the agreement did not specify what would happen after the 60-day period.

Iran has already indicated that the pre-war status quo will not fully return, while the US has made it clear that it will not allow Iran to impose any form of transit taxation on shipping.

Mutual accusations

Iran says US strikes are a direct violation of the first clause of the agreement, which called for halting military actions across all fronts. Tehran has also accused Washington of violating the UN Charter.

The US, on the other hand, claims that attacks on commercial shipping and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz amount to a breach of the spirit of the agreement by Iran.

Lebanon issue adds another layer

The dispute is not limited to Hormuz. Iran has also raised concerns over the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement.

Tehran argues that if Israel continues military operations in southern Lebanon, the US is failing in its role as guarantor of the agreement. Iran has therefore included Lebanon in the broader negotiation framework.

Is the agreement at risk?

Analysts say the latest escalation has put the MoU under severe pressure. While diplomatic channels between the two countries remain open, continued military strikes could collapse the negotiation process entirely.

US Vice President JD Vance has also said that dialogue will continue, but any attack will be met with a response.

What comes next?

Technical talks between the US and Iran are expected in the coming weeks, covering Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, frozen assets, and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation suggests that the Strait is no longer just a shipping lane—it has become a key test of diplomatic and military strength between Washington and Tehran.

If tensions continue to rise, the impact will not be limited to the two countries. Global energy markets, oil prices, and overall regional stability in the Middle East could be significantly affected.

For now, the agreement has not completely collapsed—but it is under more strain than ever before. The coming days will determine whether both sides return to diplomacy or slide back toward open confrontation.