Violation of MoU proves Trump's signature worthless: Iran's supreme leader amid new US strikes

Washington: Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei claimed that the US violation of a recently signed peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran once again demonstrated the invalidity and worthlessness of US President Donald Trump's signature, according to Iranian media.

He made the remarks in a message to the Iranian people carried by Iranian media, in which he addressed the country's important issues, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Commander in Chief ordered US forces to conduct a fresh wave of strikes against Iran, according to a statement from US Central Command, IANS reported.

"Today at 6 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction," CENTCOM posted on X.

"The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night," according to the command.

Early on Saturday, the command said that two US service members were killed and one remains missing after a strike on a base in Jordan on Friday.

The deaths bring the total number of US military personnel killed to 16 since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

Earlier, US forces ended the seventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran on July 17 at 9:30 p.m. ET.

"U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) hit surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities. U.S. forces employed fighter aircraft, aerial drones, and warships in addition to other assets," according to the command.

The United States has launched waves of strikes on military sites and infrastructure in Iran's southern provinces in the past week, claiming they were aimed at "degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping" in the Strait of Hormuz.

Khamenei said the frequent US violations of the MoU, which was signed by Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and Trump on June 18, "once again proved to everyone the fact that how worthless and invalid the US president's signature is."

Khamenei warned that if the United States continued what he described as warmongering and sought to impose higher costs, it should expect "unforgettable lessons" from Iran and the resistance front.

The remarks came amid heightened regional tensions despite the MoU, under which the United States and Iran were expected to hold negotiations within 60 days toward a final agreement.

The United States has conducted multiple rounds of strikes against Iran in recent days, while Iran has responded by launching retaliatory attacks on US bases and facilities in the region.

Earlier on Saturday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran has ceased fulfilling its obligations under the MoU with the United States, accusing Washington of violating its commitments under the deal.

The United States has launched waves of strikes on military sites and infrastructure in Iran's southern provinces in the past week, claiming they were aimed at "degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping" in the Strait of Hormuz, reports Xinhua news agency.

Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US military bases and facilities in several Gulf countries and Jordan.

Kuwait and Bahrain said Saturday their air defence systems intercepted fresh rounds of Iranian aerial attacks. A key oil facility and a power generation and water desalination plant in Kuwait have been hit.