Iran's Supreme Leader issues strong statement: The clock cannot be turned back! The Middle East situation is plunged into crisis again after the US attack.
2026-05-27 07:47:45
Early Tuesday morning (May 26) Beijing time, the United States launched precision military strikes against targets near Hormozgan province in southern Iran, including missile launch sites and vessels suspected of laying mines. This action quickly triggered a strong backlash from Iran, which accused the US of a serious violation of the fragile ceasefire agreement that had lasted for nearly seven weeks and explicitly reserved the right to retaliate. While both sides have expressed their willingness to continue promoting peace talks, this military conflict has undoubtedly added a complex variable to the indirect dialogue currently underway in Qatar.
The United States emphasized that the strike was defensive in nature, aimed at preventing a potential threat to international shipping from Iran. Iran, however, viewed it as a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, potentially jeopardizing efforts to end the long-standing conflict. The global energy market has already reacted sharply, with international oil prices rising significantly.
The US strikes have primarily focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that typically carries about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas trade. Since the outbreak of the conflict, traffic through the strait has plummeted to a very low percentage of normal levels. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that only 25 oil tankers and other vessels have been permitted to pass through the strait in the past 24 hours, with priority given to ships from countries with close ties to Iran.
Iranian media reported multiple explosions heard in the region earlier on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio subsequently stated that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened under any circumstances to ensure the stability of global energy supplies. The US also claimed that its strikes targeted Iranian vessels attempting to lay mines and missile facilities, actions taken in response to potential threats.
Iran responded swiftly. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that its air defense forces had successfully shot down a US drone and fired on another drone and a fighter jet that had violated Iranian airspace. Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a strong statement via Telegram, saying "the clock cannot be turned back" and calling on the Islamic nation and oppressed people worldwide, especially the younger generation, to continue chanting "Down with America!" and "Down with Israel!"
Despite the escalating military conflict, diplomatic efforts by both sides have not completely stalled. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that reaching an agreement to end the conflict could take only "a few days." Previously, some progress had been made in negotiations on a memorandum of understanding. This memorandum aims to immediately cease hostilities, restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and give negotiators 60 days to address more complex issues, including Iran's nuclear program.
Iranian negotiators emphasized during talks in Qatar the need to include the unfreezing of approximately $24 billion in Iranian overseas assets in the agreement. Iran's Fars News Agency, citing sources, reported that unfreezing these funds is one of the final major obstacles to finalizing the memorandum of understanding. Furthermore, Iran hopes to use this opportunity to push for an end to the conflict in Lebanon, where fighting continues between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in mid-April. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that Israel is escalating its military operations in Lebanon.
According to Iranian sources, the initial agreement may include ending the war on multiple fronts, establishing a 30-day framework for the resumption of shipping in the Straits, and providing certain economic relief measures, while deeper issues will be left to be resolved in subsequent negotiations.
This incident directly caused significant fluctuations in international oil prices. Global benchmark Brent crude futures rose approximately 3.5% on Tuesday, closing at $99.72 per barrel, nearing $100 per barrel. This rise reflects market concerns about a potential long-term disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts point out that if the ceasefire agreement completely collapses, the global energy supply chain will face greater risks, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could further spill over.
Although neither side has completely closed the door to dialogue, the strong statements from the top leaders and the US's defensive stance indicate that achieving comprehensive peace in the short term remains a significant challenge. The future depends on whether both sides can find a balance between military restraint and diplomatic compromise.
Overall, while the US strikes against Iran were defined as defensive in nature, they have severely impacted the fragile ceasefire framework. Given the global energy security's high dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, any military escalation could trigger a chain reaction. Currently, the international community generally expects all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate the situation through indirect negotiations via platforms such as Qatar, preventing further escalation of the conflict.
Q1: What is the real purpose of the US strike on Iran?
The United States has explicitly stated that this operation is defensive in nature, primarily targeting Iranian vessels attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites in the Strait of Hormuz, with the aim of protecting international shipping safety. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil transport, and the United States is concerned that Iran could use military means to block the strait, thereby threatening the stability of global energy supplies. This is consistent with Trump's previous stance of repeatedly citing Iranian anti-American rhetoric to justify military actions.
Q2: Why does Iran believe that the United States has violated the ceasefire agreement?
Iran believes the ceasefire agreement, which has lasted for nearly seven weeks, explicitly requires both sides to cease hostilities. The US strikes on targets in Hormozgan province are seen by Iran as a direct violation of the agreement. Both the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued statements emphasizing their right to retaliate and demonstrating a tough stance through actions such as shooting down drones. Supreme Leader Khamenei's statement that "the clock cannot be turned back" further reinforces Iran's unwillingness to back down under pressure.
Q3: What are the core obstacles to the current negotiations?
The negotiations primarily revolved around a memorandum of understanding, with key points of contention including unfreezing approximately $24 billion of Iranian overseas assets, restoring full shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and whether to include the Lebanese conflict within the ceasefire framework. Iran wanted the unfreezing of assets as a crucial component of the agreement, while the United States emphasized the unconditional opening of the strait. Both sides remained cautious about the prospects of a final comprehensive agreement, indicating a lack of mutual trust.
Q4: What impact will this event have on global oil prices and the energy market?
Following the incident, Brent crude futures rose rapidly by about 3.5%, approaching $100 per barrel. Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has already decreased significantly; if the conflict escalates and leads to a prolonged blockage, approximately one-fifth of global oil trade will face serious disruption. This would not only drive up energy prices but could also trigger global inflationary pressures and supply chain volatility.
Q5: How likely is it that a ceasefire agreement will be reached in the future?
Although the military conflict has created tension, neither side has completely closed dialogue channels. The US Secretary of State indicated that an agreement could be reached within days, and the initial framework includes a 30-day shipping resumption period and economic relief measures. However, deep-seated differences such as the Iranian nuclear issue, the Lebanese conflict, and the unfreezing of assets still require resolution in a second phase of negotiations. The final outcome depends on whether both sides can exercise restraint in military action and whether international mediation can play an effective role. Significant uncertainty remains in the short term, but the possibility of a full-blown war currently appears low. (Approximately 460 words)
The United States emphasized that the strike was defensive in nature, aimed at preventing a potential threat to international shipping from Iran. Iran, however, viewed it as a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, potentially jeopardizing efforts to end the long-standing conflict. The global energy market has already reacted sharply, with international oil prices rising significantly.
Details of the conflict: The tense standoff in the Strait of Hormuz
The US strikes have primarily focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that typically carries about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas trade. Since the outbreak of the conflict, traffic through the strait has plummeted to a very low percentage of normal levels. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that only 25 oil tankers and other vessels have been permitted to pass through the strait in the past 24 hours, with priority given to ships from countries with close ties to Iran.
Iranian media reported multiple explosions heard in the region earlier on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio subsequently stated that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened under any circumstances to ensure the stability of global energy supplies. The US also claimed that its strikes targeted Iranian vessels attempting to lay mines and missile facilities, actions taken in response to potential threats.
Iran responded swiftly. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that its air defense forces had successfully shot down a US drone and fired on another drone and a fighter jet that had violated Iranian airspace. Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a strong statement via Telegram, saying "the clock cannot be turned back" and calling on the Islamic nation and oppressed people worldwide, especially the younger generation, to continue chanting "Down with America!" and "Down with Israel!"
Diplomatic Negotiations: Hopes and Obstacles to a Preliminary Agreement
Despite the escalating military conflict, diplomatic efforts by both sides have not completely stalled. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that reaching an agreement to end the conflict could take only "a few days." Previously, some progress had been made in negotiations on a memorandum of understanding. This memorandum aims to immediately cease hostilities, restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and give negotiators 60 days to address more complex issues, including Iran's nuclear program.
Iranian negotiators emphasized during talks in Qatar the need to include the unfreezing of approximately $24 billion in Iranian overseas assets in the agreement. Iran's Fars News Agency, citing sources, reported that unfreezing these funds is one of the final major obstacles to finalizing the memorandum of understanding. Furthermore, Iran hopes to use this opportunity to push for an end to the conflict in Lebanon, where fighting continues between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in mid-April. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that Israel is escalating its military operations in Lebanon.
According to Iranian sources, the initial agreement may include ending the war on multiple fronts, establishing a 30-day framework for the resumption of shipping in the Straits, and providing certain economic relief measures, while deeper issues will be left to be resolved in subsequent negotiations.
Global Impact: Energy Market Turmoil and Future Uncertainty
This incident directly caused significant fluctuations in international oil prices. Global benchmark Brent crude futures rose approximately 3.5% on Tuesday, closing at $99.72 per barrel, nearing $100 per barrel. This rise reflects market concerns about a potential long-term disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts point out that if the ceasefire agreement completely collapses, the global energy supply chain will face greater risks, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could further spill over.
Although neither side has completely closed the door to dialogue, the strong statements from the top leaders and the US's defensive stance indicate that achieving comprehensive peace in the short term remains a significant challenge. The future depends on whether both sides can find a balance between military restraint and diplomatic compromise.
Overall, while the US strikes against Iran were defined as defensive in nature, they have severely impacted the fragile ceasefire framework. Given the global energy security's high dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, any military escalation could trigger a chain reaction. Currently, the international community generally expects all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate the situation through indirect negotiations via platforms such as Qatar, preventing further escalation of the conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the real purpose of the US strike on Iran?
The United States has explicitly stated that this operation is defensive in nature, primarily targeting Iranian vessels attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites in the Strait of Hormuz, with the aim of protecting international shipping safety. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil transport, and the United States is concerned that Iran could use military means to block the strait, thereby threatening the stability of global energy supplies. This is consistent with Trump's previous stance of repeatedly citing Iranian anti-American rhetoric to justify military actions.
Q2: Why does Iran believe that the United States has violated the ceasefire agreement?
Iran believes the ceasefire agreement, which has lasted for nearly seven weeks, explicitly requires both sides to cease hostilities. The US strikes on targets in Hormozgan province are seen by Iran as a direct violation of the agreement. Both the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued statements emphasizing their right to retaliate and demonstrating a tough stance through actions such as shooting down drones. Supreme Leader Khamenei's statement that "the clock cannot be turned back" further reinforces Iran's unwillingness to back down under pressure.
Q3: What are the core obstacles to the current negotiations?
The negotiations primarily revolved around a memorandum of understanding, with key points of contention including unfreezing approximately $24 billion of Iranian overseas assets, restoring full shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and whether to include the Lebanese conflict within the ceasefire framework. Iran wanted the unfreezing of assets as a crucial component of the agreement, while the United States emphasized the unconditional opening of the strait. Both sides remained cautious about the prospects of a final comprehensive agreement, indicating a lack of mutual trust.
Q4: What impact will this event have on global oil prices and the energy market?
Following the incident, Brent crude futures rose rapidly by about 3.5%, approaching $100 per barrel. Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has already decreased significantly; if the conflict escalates and leads to a prolonged blockage, approximately one-fifth of global oil trade will face serious disruption. This would not only drive up energy prices but could also trigger global inflationary pressures and supply chain volatility.
Q5: How likely is it that a ceasefire agreement will be reached in the future?
Although the military conflict has created tension, neither side has completely closed dialogue channels. The US Secretary of State indicated that an agreement could be reached within days, and the initial framework includes a 30-day shipping resumption period and economic relief measures. However, deep-seated differences such as the Iranian nuclear issue, the Lebanese conflict, and the unfreezing of assets still require resolution in a second phase of negotiations. The final outcome depends on whether both sides can exercise restraint in military action and whether international mediation can play an effective role. Significant uncertainty remains in the short term, but the possibility of a full-blown war currently appears low. (Approximately 460 words)
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