With a fragile ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday and a second round of peace talks hanging by a thread, US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Tuesday to fire a blunt accusation at Tehran. "Iran has Violated the Cease Fire numerous times!" he posted.
He offered no further detail, but the message landed in the middle of one of the most tense diplomatic standoffs of the conflict.
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The charge is not one-sided. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also told Al Jazeera that Washington had "violated the ceasefire from the beginning of its implementation," citing the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since April 13 and the overnight capture of an Iranian container ship by US forces as breaches of the truce as well as international law.
At least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran since the US and Israel launched attacks on the country seven weeks ago, Iranian officials said. The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 8, mediated by Pakistan, which is set to expire in a day.
On Friday, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz fully open to commercial traffic, sending crude prices tumbling more than 10%.
By Saturday, hopes for a fully opened artery quickly unravelled as Tehran reclaimed control of the chokepoint after Trump refused to end the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Trump has said he considers the ceasefire over "Wednesday evening Washington time" and that it is "highly unlikely" he would extend it if a deal is not reached.
In a phone call with a PBS News reporter, he warned that "lots of bombs will start going off" if no agreement is struck before the deadline.
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Meanwhile, the prospect of a second round of talks in Islamabad remained deeply uncertain. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said there was "no plan for a second round of negotiations with the US for now."
Moreover, Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf added a stark warning, saying "In the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield."
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