US-Iran Ceasefire Falters as New Strikes Escalate Middle East Tensions

A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is showing signs of collapse after both sides launched fresh attacks, with new strikes reported across the region and concerns growing over a wider escalation.

Iran said US forces carried out additional strikes Thursday against locations in the coastal province of Bushehr, including areas near a nuclear power facility and a fishing port. The United States has not confirmed those latest attacks but previously said it struck about 90 targets along Iran’s coastline overnight.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched 10 ballistic missiles toward a US military base in Jordan. Jordanian authorities confirmed that missiles entered its airspace and that its defenses intercepted them.

The renewed fighting comes just days after Washington and Tehran reached a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting hostilities. However, continued exchanges of fire have weakened efforts to restore calm, with both sides accusing the other of violating the agreement.

The conflict has also disrupted shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. Increased military activity and threats of further restrictions have slowed maritime traffic, while Iran has reportedly moved to increase oil exports from its main export hub at Kharg Island.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are underway to revive negotiations. Pakistan and Qatar, which helped facilitate previous talks between Washington and Tehran, are working to bring both sides back to the negotiating table. Pakistan’s foreign ministry called for restraint, saying there is “no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve shared goal of peace in the region.”

The latest strikes come as Iran holds funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with attention focused on whether his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, will appear during the final events.