Tehran, Iran – The head of Iran’s judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, issued a stark warning, stating that the possibility of the United States resuming military operations against Iran “is by no means insignificant.”
Ejei stressed the need to raise combat readiness to the highest level, especially with the approaching expiration of the temporary ceasefire agreement. He also asserted that “the enemy” has not abandoned its objectives despite diplomatic efforts. In a related development, Mehdi Tabatabaei, the media affairs officer at the Iranian president’s office, warned Washington against renewing the conflict. He indicated that “the enemy has tested Iran’s strength before, and will make a grave mistake if it repeats the experience.”
The Tosca ship crisis: piracy and a violation of the truce
On the ground, the maritime crisis escalated after the Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the US attack on the vessel “Tosca” and the detention of its crew in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran described the operation as “piracy and an act of terrorism” that constituted a blatant violation of the ceasefire.
The Foreign Ministry warned of “grave consequences” if the ship and the crew’s families were not immediately released. It also held Washington fully responsible for any deterioration in security that might affect the waterways.
Conflicting messages: Negotiations under the threat of “the hammer”
This escalation comes at a sensitive time, as US President Donald Trump adopts a “carrot and stick” policy. While urging Tehran to proceed with negotiations in Pakistan, he continues to remind everyone of the success of Operation Midnight Hammer in destroying critical infrastructure. He has also warned of “unprecedented problems” should dialogue be rejected.
This conflicting messaging puts Islamabad’s negotiations to a severe test, raising questions about the fragile ceasefire’s ability to withstand these mutual provocations on the ground.
