Iran says US strikes have rendered ceasefire 'practically meaningless'

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's Foreign Ministry declared on Friday that a ceasefire with the United States is now "practically meaningless," blaming recent large-scale US strikes on Iranian targets for nullifying the agreement. In a written statement, the ministry condemned what it called US "crimes" during overnight attacks on Iranian territory, saying Washington bears responsibility for the escalation. The ministry also announced that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels and oil tankers in response to what it described as new US strikes on targets inside the country. The decision marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. The deteriorating situation has raised concerns about the potential spread of the conflict to US military bases in the Gulf and to neighboring states. Iranian officials said the latest US attacks have widened the scope of the confrontation beyond Iranian territory itself. The ministry's statement did not specify a timeline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz or outline any next diplomatic steps. No immediate response from the US side was included in the Iranian announcement.