US hits Iran for ninth night as Khamenei calls ceasefire 'worthless'

Mediators have proposed a 10-day ceasefire to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran, according to a senior Iranian official. The plan aims to revive an interim deal reached last month, which sought to reduce hostilities between the two nations. The proposal was relayed to Iran by external mediators, as confirmed by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei during a press conference on Sunday. He described the initiative as a crucial step toward preventing further escalation, emphasizing the importance of both diplomatic efforts and military responses in Iran’s strategy. The ceasefire proposal comes amid heightened conflict, with the U.S. conducting its ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets. On Monday, the U.S. military announced it had struck Iranian military command centers, air defense systems, coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communication networks. These attacks followed the deaths of three U.S. service members, two of whom were killed during an Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Jordan, and one who died in Iraq during the controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone. President Donald Trump, returning to Washington after attending the World Cup final, stated the strikes were "in honour" of the deceased, vowing to continue the campaign. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it launched a surprise attack on an enemy command center in Syria, though the location and specifics remain unclear. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s military reported that explosions were due to air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks, while Bahrain activated its missile alert sirens, warning of an incoming Iranian strike. Earlier in the week, Iran had reportedly targeted two U.S. bases in Kuwait, intensifying regional fears of broader conflict. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed concerns over Iran’s use of the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic lever. In a statement, he accused Iran of attempting to control the vital waterway and urged international cooperation to safeguard global shipping. Traffic through the strait has nearly halted, pushing Brent crude prices above $90 per barrel. Despite an earlier interim ceasefire, hostilities resumed after Iran attacked vessels passing through the channel. Rubio stressed that the U.S. remains committed to protecting maritime routes but called for greater international involvement, offering support in the form of resources or financial aid. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a stern warning against continued U.S. attacks, calling the interim ceasefire deal “worthless and invalid.” His remarks followed reports that Tehran had suspended its obligations under the agreement. Khamenei, who has remained largely absent from public view since the conflict began, hinted at severe consequences should the U.S. persist in its actions. This stance aligns with broader Iranian narratives that frame the conflict as a struggle for sovereignty and resistance against Western encroachment. Recent U.S. strikes have included attacks on critical infrastructure within Iran, such as an electricity and desalination plant in Hormozgan province and several bridges, including one leading to Bandar Abbas, a key port near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported that these strikes disrupted water access for approximately 10,000 residents and damaged facilities on Qeshm Island, a strategically located site near the strait. Such actions underscore the deepening impact of the conflict on both civilian and military infrastructure, raising concerns over long-term stability in the region.