[Anchor]

War clouds are gathering over the Strait of Hormuz once again as the United States and Iran have exchanged attacks for the second consecutive day. Doubts are growing over whether the agreement to end the war can even be properly upheld.

Kim Beom-joo reports.

[Reporter]

The United States has once again struck 10 Iranian drone storage facilities, as well as communication and air defense installations.

The retaliation came after a Singapore-flagged container ship was targeted yesterday (June 27), followed by a drone attack on a Panama-flagged oil tanker fully loaded with oil today (June 28).

A few hours later, the Iranian military announced that it had attacked eight U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

It is reported that the drones and missiles were either intercepted or landed in areas without significant facilities, resulting in no major damage.

A war of words followed immediately.

President Trump wrote on social media that there may come a point where he can no longer respond rationally, and if that happens, Iran will cease to exist.

Conversely, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps hit back, warning that U.S. military bases in the Middle East would experience hell.

Analysts suggest that with negotiations at a stalemate and no compromise reached on key issues, both sides are testing how much the other is willing to endure.

In particular, Iran's claim that it maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the core of the conflict.

The U.S. has begun guiding merchant ships through routes closer to Oman, while Iran is openly declaring its intention to attack such vessels.

[Interview: Iranian State Television (Today)]
"According to the ceasefire agreement, Iran holds the right to manage passage through the Strait of Hormuz. We will respond more strongly to any vessels that violate this."

As both sides interpret the ceasefire agreement, which was filled with ambiguous language, in ways that only favor their own positions, a dark shadow is being cast over follow-up negotiations.

(Video coverage by Lee Hee-hoon, Video editing by Chae Chul-ho)