US Strikes Iranian Sites in Third Ceasefire Violation

The United States conducted self-defense strikes against Iranian radar and command and control sites in Goruk and Qeshm Island over the weekend, the third violation of a fragile ceasefire agreement reached between the two nations in early April. The strikes came after Iran shot down a US MQ-1 drone operating over international waters, with US Central Command stating that American fighter aircraft also destroyed Iranian air defense systems, a ground control station, and two one-way attack drones that posed threats to ships transiting regional waters. Kuwait simultaneously reported that its air defenses were intercepting incoming missile and drone attacks, with sirens sounding across the Gulf nation as regional tensions escalated. In a separate development, reports emerged claiming Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had submitted a resignation letter to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' growing control over key state decisions. The alleged letter argued that Iran's elected civilian government had been increasingly sidelined, leaving the president unable to fulfill constitutional responsibilities. However, sources close to Pezeshkian's office and state-affiliated media firmly denied the reports, with the 71-year-old reformist appearing in a newly released video from the official presidency website seated at a meeting with advisors, emphasizing his commitment to advancing Iran's progress. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that negotiations over a revised US proposal from President Donald Trump's administration are ongoing, warning that "until a clear conclusion is reached, everything being said now is speculation." The escalation follows weeks of diplomatic wrangling between Washington and Tehran to secure a lasting ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane that has been disrupted since the conflict began in February. Iran has reopened 50 access points at 18 missile sites, suggesting limited concessions, while crude oil prices surged approximately 2% on Monday morning as traders reacted to the renewed geopolitical tensions. The latest exchange marks the third incident testing the April ceasefire, though both sides have previously downplayed such violations to allow the truce to continue.