Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has accused the United States of multiple "major violations" of bilateral agreements, warning that the "era of bullying and extortion is over." In a defiant post on X, Ghalibaf enumerated American breaches including "violating Iranian adjustments in the Strait," "persistent threats of further strikes," "reinstating oil sanctions," "attacks on southern Iran," and "continued Zionist aggression" in Lebanon.
US launches extensive strikes on Iranian targets
The rhetorical escalation follows a dramatic US military operation on July 7, 2026. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it struck over 80 military positions inside Iran using precision-guided munitions. The targets included command-and-control networks, air defense systems, coastal radar installations, anti-ship missile sites, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) small boats. According to defense officials, the operation aimed to degrade Tehran's maritime offensive capabilities.
Maritime incidents trigger US response
CENTCOM stated the strikes were a direct response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz: the Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, the Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan, and the Liberian-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity. "Iran's demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire," CENTCOM posted on X. This marks the first direct US kinetic action against Iran since late June, when a previous cycle of strikes ended with a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Oil sanctions reinstated amid rising tensions
Compounding the military friction, the Trump administration abruptly revoked a temporary oil sanctions waiver that had been granted under the June ceasefire. The general license, which allowed limited Iranian energy exports, was originally set to remain active until August 21. Its sudden cancellation significantly increases economic pressure on Tehran as both nations slide back into open confrontation. Ghalibaf concluded his statement with a firm warning: "The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don't fold."
