Iran war day 120: Tehran condemns US strikes, says it violates MoU

What Happened

The United States and Iran traded strikes for the first time since signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU), with US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying it targeted Iranian missile and drone storage locations as well as coastal radar sites in retaliation for a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump accused Iran of the ship attack, calling it a 'foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement.' Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed it responded by targeting US military deployment sites in the region, though no hits were confirmed. Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the US strikes, asserting they violated Article 1 of the MoU, while IRGC accused the US of breaking commitments and said the MoU gives Tehran control over ships transiting the strait. Separately, a US-brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon was announced, stipulating Israeli forces would 'redeploy' from Lebanese territory once non-state actors like Hezbollah are disarmed; Hezbollah rejected the deal, and Israeli forces bombed near Markaba, 1.5km from the border.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The exchange of strikes directly undermines a fragile memorandum of understanding and occurs just before a new round of diplomacy, risking a broader confrontation. Iran's assertion of control over the Strait of Hormuz—a vital energy chokepoint—escalates maritime security threats and leverages a key strategic asset. The simultaneous US-brokered Lebanon-Israel framework, rejected by Hezbollah, shows the intertwining of Iran's regional network with any potential de-escalation, complicating broader diplomatic efforts.

Watch For

The next round of US-Iran talks, where compliance with the MoU will be tested; potential further IRGC retaliatory strikes on perceived US assets; implementation steps or collapse of the Lebanon-Israel framework, especially Hezbollah's response and Israeli military actions near the border; and UN engagement over Strait of Hormuz transit security.