New explosions have shaken Iran's Hormozgan province, with nearly a dozen projectiles targeting military sites on Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas. The strikes mark the fifth wave of US attacks since a ceasefire agreement was signed three weeks ago, raising fresh doubts about the durability of the truce. Main Developments Iranian state media confirmed that enemy projectiles struck military installations on Qeshm Island, a strategic territory in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has responded by retaliating against US military assets in the region, though specific details of the counterstrikes remain unclear. The attacks follow a pattern of escalating exchanges since the ceasefire deal was reached, with each new wave of strikes testing the limits of the agreement. Residents in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island reported hearing loud explosions during the latest barrage. Read also: Why Ukraine's Patriot missile shortage reshapes the war Background The ceasefire, signed three weeks ago, was intended to de-escalate a months-long conflict between Iran and the United States. Qeshm Island, home to key military and economic infrastructure, has repeatedly become a flashpoint due to its strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of global oil passes. Earlier rounds of US strikes focused on degrading Iran's missile and drone capabilities, while Tehran has increasingly targeted US naval and air assets in the Persian Gulf. The truce, brokered through regional intermediaries, never fully halted hostilities, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Why It Matters Each new attack erodes the already fragile ceasefire, pushing the region closer to a full-scale war. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, meaning any sustained conflict could disrupt oil markets and trigger economic fallout worldwide. For Iran, the strikes on Qeshm Island represent a direct threat to its territorial integrity and military readiness. For the United States, the continued attacks risk drawing it deeper into a conflict that President Biden had sought to contain. What's Next Diplomatic efforts to salvage the ceasefire will likely intensify, though neither side has shown willingness to de-escalate unilaterally. Iran may expand its retaliatory strikes to include non-military targets, while the US could face pressure from allies to halt further attacks and pursue a renewed negotiation track.