Negotiations May Be Scrapped as the U.S. and Iran Trade Strikes on Military Facilities

[Financial News, New York = Lee Byung-chul] As ceasefire talks between the United States (U.S.) and Iran once again stalled, both sides launched airstrikes on each other's military facilities. The two sides appear unable to find common ground in the final round of negotiations. The U.S. has sent Iran a revised proposal based on the existing ceasefire agreement, while Iran is preparing its own counterproposal. President Donald Trump has even raised the possibility of resuming attacks if the talks collapse. Iran is also warning that the agreement could be scrapped. The two sides are continuing last-minute negotiations over a 60-day ceasefire and a plan to begin nuclear talks after the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened.
USCENTCOM said on X on the 1st local time that it had "carried out self-defense airstrikes this weekend against Iran's radar and drone control facilities in Ghoruk and Qeshm Island." The U.S. military stressed that the strikes were a defensive measure during the ceasefire period, but Iran also announced that it had retaliated by attacking U.S. military facilities in the Middle East, the source of the airstrikes.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced through state television that "in response to recent U.S. military attacks on a communications tower on Sirik Island in Hormozgan Province, the IRGC Air Force struck the air base that was the source of the attack." The target was believed to be a U.S. Air Force base in Kuwait. USCENTCOM added that "the airstrikes were a careful and deliberate response to Iran's aggressive actions, including the downing of a U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone operating over international waters," and said the attacks were carried out on June 30 and 31. It also said it quickly eliminated two Iranian suicide drones that threatened ships near the Strait of Hormuz, along with air defenses and a ground control station.
In a Fox News interview on the 31st local time, President Donald Trump said Iran could not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons or even buy them. He said, "Iran must not have nuclear weapons."
Iran also appears unwilling to back down. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, "There will be no agreement without guarantees of Iran's rights." Tasnim News Agency also stressed that it is fully prepared for the possibility that no deal will be reached.
Meanwhile, Israel expanded its ground operation in Lebanon again six weeks after the ceasefire. Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu ordered additional troop advances targeting the pro-Iranian armed group Hezbollah. The Israeli military said it had recently seized Beaufort Castle, a 900-year-old strategic stronghold in southern Lebanon, along with nearby hills.
pride@fnnews.com Reporter