Iran condemns US strikes as 'gross violation' of ceasefire

The attacks took place while Iranian and Qatari negotiators were in Doha for peace talks. US strikes were 'gross violation' of ceasefire, Iran says Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Iran said US strikes near the Strait of Hormuz had violated the fragile ceasefire, which started in April Boats seen in the Strait of Hormuz from the coast of Iran Iran condemns US strikes as 'gross violation' of ceasefire Iran says the US has committed a "gross violation" of the ceasefire with new air strikes it launched on the country. The US Central Command (Centcom) said Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to place mines had been targeted with what it called "self-defence strikes" in southern Iran on Monday. Iran's foreign ministry said it held the US responsible for the consequences of its "aggressive and unjustified actions" in the Hormozgan region, which has a coast along the Strait of Hormuz - the crucial waterway Iran has blocked causing a spike in world energy prices. It is unclear what impact the strikes will have on talks aimed to end the conflict. "Without a doubt, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not leave any evil unanswered and will not hesitate to defend the Iranian nation," the Iranian statement said. The US and Israel started the war with Iran on 28 February with a wave of deadly attacks, including one which killed the country's supreme leader. After weeks of fighting, a ceasefire was agreed on 8 April and it has been largely observed ever since, barring one notable clash earlier in May. After weeks of fighting, a ceasefire was agreed on 8 April and it has been largely observed ever since, barring In its statement, Centcom said US forces "conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces". It did not give details about the location of the strikes, but an official cited by the New York Times said they had targeted an area near Bandar Abbas - a southern port city and home of an Iranian naval base that sits on the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media had earlier reported that local officials in Bandar Abbas were investigating after explosions were heard. A BBC map of the Strait of Hormuz region, showing the narrow strait between The Gulf to the west and the Gulf of Oman to the east. The north of the strait is the coast of Iran and the United Arab Emirates and Oman are to the south. Bandar Abbas is highlighted in red on the Iranian coast at the narrowest point of the strait. The map also labels Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE on The Gulf coast. A small inset map shows the location of the region within the Middle East and between Africa and Asia. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later said it had downed a US drone and fired at a fighter jet that entered Iranian airspace, though it did not specify when this happened. This takes place against the backdrop of talks aimed at extending the current ceasefire, with the eventual aim of bringing an end to the conflict. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said a deal from the talks is still possible, but it will "take a few days". At the weekend, President Donald Trump initially suggested a deal was close before later saying he had instructed negotiators "not to rush into" an agreement. According to US media, the possible deal is not a final settlement, but a memorandum of understanding that reportedly involves a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and a plan for further negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme. Iran said on Monday that some progress had been made, but a deal "is not imminent". One of the stumbling blocks reportedly centres on Tehran's request for the release of frozen Iranian funds held abroad. The peace talks have been mainly mediated by Pakistan. However, Iranian negotiators have been taking part in talks with Qatari mediators this week. An official briefed on the Doha visit told Reuters news agency that Iran's central bank governor had attended Monday's talks to discuss the frozen assets, with discussions focusing primarily on Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively blocked the vital shipping lane, through which around one fifth of the world's oil passes, since the US and Israel started the conflict on 28 February. US, Israel and many Western countries have accused Iran of enriching uranium in order to make a nuclear weapon. Iran says the programme is for peaceful purposes only. Sunil Puniya stands on the shore next to a boat in the left hand image. In the right hand image the Skylight is seen in the distance on fire with plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. I survived a missile strike in the Strait of Hormuz, but my friend has not been found An image with BBC Verify branding of an Iranian speedboat Iran steps up claim to control Strait of Hormuz A black F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet turns through a clear blue sky. US launches new strikes on Iran, targeting missile sites and boats A new and reduced evacuation zone has been established, with approximately 16,000 people still unable to return home. Sarah Smith visits places across the US capital where the president has hung banners, renamed a site or is rebuilding something. Nine others were injured and another nine are missing after a tank ruptured at a paper mill in Longview, Washington. Internet access has been cut off in the country since the start of the war in late February. US Central Command says the strikes were taken in "self-defence", while Iran reports it downed a US drone that entered its airspace. The Israeli military hits targets in eastern Lebanon after the prime minister announces further strikes. The US secretary of state earlier said that an agreement could possibly come on Monday. Saudi Arabia says that is 11,000 more than the number of Muslims who travelled to the Gulf kingdom last year.