Iran signals readiness to continue military conflict with US

The armed forces of Iran are ready to deliver an "immediate and decisive response" to any resumption of hostile actions by their adversaries, said the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya central headquarters, Ali Abdollahi, Report informs, citing Middle Eastern news outlets.

He emphasized that Tehran maintains an advantage in the military sphere, including in the matter of control over the Strait of Hormuz, and will not allow the US president to "create false narratives about the situation on the ground."

The two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US expires on April 22. The sides are accusing each other of violating it and have simultaneously tightened control over maritime shipping in the Persian Gulf.

On the night of April 20, the US guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance seized the cargo vessel TOUSKA, sailing under the Iranian flag, in the Gulf of Oman. In response to this, Iranian media noted that the country's armed forces carried out a drone attack on American military vessels.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran. That same day, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes on Israel and other countries of the region housing US military assets.

Iran, the US, and their allies agreed to a two-week ceasefire on the night of April 8, 2026.

Subsequent negotiations between Iran and the US, mediated by Pakistan, were held in Islamabad on April 11-12.

Trump announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping on April 15, despite the continued naval blockade of Iranian ports. This step was taken to preserve relations with China. Later, on April 18, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC Navy) of Iran announced the closure of the waterway, arguing that this was due to the violation of the ceasefire agreement and the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports by the American military.