Iran condemns recent US strikes as violation of ceasefire

Iran has condemned recent United States strikes as a violation of the ceasefire, in a sharp escalation of rhetoric between the two countries.

Tehran says the strikes breached the terms agreed to end the most recent round of hostilities, and has signalled it reserves the right to respond.

Washington has defended the action as targeted and necessary, framing it as a response to activity that itself fell outside the agreement.

Regional governments have urged restraint, wary of a return to open conflict that would again disrupt shipping and energy supply through the Gulf.

For New Zealand, the immediate exposure is economic: freight rates and fuel prices both respond quickly to instability in the region.