US-Iran ceasefire still on, so why are missiles flying again?

The answer is complicated. The ceasefire still exists, but it is under severe strain.

Over the weekend, the United States said it struck Iranian radar, air-defence and drone command facilities after Iran allegedly shot down a US surveillance drone over international waters. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting a US-linked military installation, with regional air defences intercepting part of the assault.

The latest exchange marks another test of a ceasefire that was agreed in April after weeks of fighting but has been repeatedly challenged by military actions and disputes over its terms.

Iran has accused Washington of violating the truce, while the US has characterised its recent operations as defensive responses to Iranian actions.

So, is there a ceasefire or not?

Technically, yes.

Neither Washington nor Tehran has formally withdrawn from the ceasefire arrangement that ended large-scale hostilities. More importantly, both sides remain engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at extending and expanding the agreement.

News agency Reuters reported last week that US and Iranian negotiators had reached the outline of a deal that would extend the ceasefire, reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and ease some restrictions on Iran.

However, the agreement has not yet been formally finalised.

That means the region is currently in an unusual situation: a ceasefire exists on paper, but limited military confrontations continue on the ground.

What are the talks really about?

The negotiations have moved beyond simply stopping the fighting.

The emerging framework would include extending the ceasefire, allowing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and creating a roadmap for tackling more difficult issues later. These include Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and security arrangements in the Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz remains the biggest immediate issue. The narrow waterway carries a significant share of the world’s oil and gas shipments, and disruptions there have pushed crude prices higher. Reopening and securing the route has become a top US priority, while Iran views it as one of its strongest bargaining chips.

Why are both sides still attacking each other?

Because both countries have very different interpretations of what the ceasefire allows.

Washington argues that strikes against Iranian military assets are legitimate self-defence measures when US forces or shipping are threatened.

Iran, meanwhile, insists such operations amount to ceasefire violations and says it reserves the right to retaliate.

The result is a fragile truce in which diplomacy and military action are unfolding simultaneously.

The next few days could prove crucial. US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran “really wants to make a deal” and suggested a decision on extending the ceasefire could come soon.

But the latest exchange of strikes is a reminder of how fragile the situation remains. Whether the ongoing negotiations lead to a broader agreement—or are overwhelmed by fresh military escalation—could determine the future of the ceasefire and the stability of the region.

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