rki.news Sources: Anadolu Agency

WASHINGTON: Fresh tensions have emerged despite ongoing efforts to sustain peace between the United States and Iran, as Tehran warned it would respond strongly to any renewed military strikes.
Iranian armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi said on Tuesday that if the region enters another round of conflict, Iran’s response would be “heavier and stronger” and could extend beyond regional borders, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency.
Earlier reports from Fars claimed that US and Israeli aircraft targeted Iranian vessels near Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the deaths of several Iranian nationals. The United States and Israel have not issued an immediate confirmation of the allegations.
The latest developments come amid Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation following the outbreak of conflict on February 28, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran were followed by Iranian retaliation.
A ceasefire was implemented on April 8 and later extended indefinitely by Donald Trump.