Iran voids peace deal, declares existential war with United States as attacks intensify

Iran’s chief negotiator, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, announced that the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States in June is null and void, describing the conflict as an “existential war” after a series of U.S. airstrikes killed seven Iranian troops. The United States said its overnight strikes targeted Iranian coastal defence systems, missile‑launch sites on Greater Tunb island and other military facilities near the Strait of Hormuz, further degrading Iran’s ability to threaten the vital oil‑shipping lane.

Iran’s foreign‑ministry spokesman Ismail Bagaei warned that Tehran will respond with “all its forces” to any U.S. aggression and reiterated that Iran will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the attacks stop. While condemning the U.S. actions as illegal, Iranian officials also signaled that diplomatic channels remain open, urging coordination of military and diplomatic tracks and stating that negotiations do not equal capitulation. The rhetoric has been echoed by Iran’s parliament speaker and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which pledged continued retaliation against U.S. bases in the region.