US-Iran tensions remain high despite potential agreement on war ceasefire

Iranian officials have expressed skepticism towards US strikes, stating that they validate their distrust towards the country. A delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf returned to Tehran from Qatar on Tuesday, amid efforts to reach an understanding with the US on ending the ongoing conflict. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Washington of violating a ceasefire reached on April 8, attacking the southern province of Hormozgan on Monday night.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that Iranian armed forces fired back and shot down a US-made RQ-4 drone using a domestically-made air defence system called Arash-e Kamangir. The US military claimed it was targeting missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to lay sea mines in a “defensive” move, but IRGC commanders stated they have the right to retaliate.

A tanker reported an external explosion and fuel leak approximately 60 nautical miles east of Oman’s capital city Muscat, according to British maritime intelligence. Iranian officials did not comment on the incident. The escalation comes as both sides attempt to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoM) that could potentially facilitate increased transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

The deal would grant Iran access to some of its overseas funds frozen due to US sanctions and offer a pathway for future agreements over the country’s nuclear program. Some experts believe that an agreement may provide operational pause, intelligence access, or political cover before another round of large-scale attacks on the country. Iranian officials have pledged that the Islamic Republic will not accede to a deal that amounts to “surrender”.

Source: Al Jazeera