WASHINGTON — U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged fresh strikes across the Gulf region on Sunday after a fragile ceasefire tied to negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz collapsed, with both governments accusing the other of violating the agreement and raising fears of a wider regional escalation.
The U.S. military said it carried out strikes on targets in Iran after renewed Iranian attacks, while Iranian authorities said they responded with missile and drone operations against U.S. and partner military facilities in the Gulf. Both sides maintained that their actions were defensive and blamed the other for breaking the ceasefire.
The Pentagon said two U.S. military personnel were killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan, with another service member reported missing. Iranian officials also reported casualties from recent U.S. strikes, although the reported figures could not be independently verified.
The renewed fighting followed days of deteriorating relations after disagreements over the implementation of a June memorandum intended to halt hostilities and ensure commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The United Nations has previously urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and preserve the agreement.
The latest exchanges have disrupted shipping in and around the strategic waterway and heightened concerns over global energy supplies, while diplomatic efforts to restore the ceasefire remain unresolved. Officials on both sides said military operations were continuing, and several details surrounding the latest strikes remained under verification as the situation continued to develop.
