Iran Accuses U.S. of 'Bad Faith' Strikes Amid Ongoing Hormuz Talks

Tensions between Washington and Tehran remain elevated following U.S. airstrikes in southern Iran that targeted missile launch sites and minelaying boats. While the U.S. characterized the operations as defensive measures conducted with restraint, the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the actions as a "bad faith" violation of the active ceasefire. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported Tuesday that it successfully downed a drone and repelled additional aircraft that entered Iranian airspace. On the diplomatic front, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that high-stakes negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend the current cessation of hostilities are ongoing but will likely require several more days to reach a resolution. Compounding the political pressure, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a stern warning to neighboring countries, stating they should no longer serve as a "shield" for U.S. military installations in the region. Domestically, Iranian authorities have begun restoring fixed broadband internet access following a prolonged wartime shutdown. The outage had significant economic repercussions, with reports indicating a loss of approximately $30 million to $40 million per day. The restoration of connectivity comes as Tehran navigates both internal economic pressure and external military friction with the Trump administration.