US Republican Senator Thom Tillis on Sunday, 28 June expressed sharp scepticism that Iran would honour its ceasefire agreement with the United States, saying he did not trust Tehran's leadership as renewed military exchanges threatened to unravel ongoing negotiations. The remarks came amid fresh Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and drone strikes targeting US military bases in the region.

Tillis's Doubts on the Ceasefire

Speaking on CNN's State of the Union, Tillis said recent Iranian military actions had reinforced his longstanding distrust of Tehran's willingness to abide by international commitments.

'I just simply don't trust the Iranian leadership, the mullahs, to live up to their commitments,' Tillis said. 'We're already seeing it.'

He questioned the durability of the current 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), drawing a pointed comparison to Iran's record under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). 'I don't believe that they were any more faithful to this agreement than the JCPOA, unless it is buttoned down tight. And I just don't see that happening in 60 days,' he said.

Trump's Warning and Escalating Tensions

Tillis's remarks followed an overnight warning by President Donald Trump, who cautioned that Iran could 'no longer exist' if it continued violating the ceasefire, and that the United States could be forced to 'militarily complete the job.' Trump's warning came after fresh exchanges of fire between US and Iranian forces.

Iran had attacked at least two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz despite the ceasefire arrangement and was reportedly signalling that vessels would require its permission to transit the critical waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's busiest energy shipping corridors, and any sustained disruption carries significant implications for global oil and gas supplies.

Drone and Missile Strikes on US Bases

According to reports citing a US official, Iran overnight launched drones and missiles towards Bahrain and Kuwait, both of which host US military installations. No American casualties or damage were reported, according to the same official, but the strikes were seen as a deliberate probing of Washington's red lines.

Notably, this is not the first ceasefire to have come under strain in the months-long US-Iran confrontation. Tillis pointedly asked, 'My goodness, cease-fires have we had over the past several months?' — underscoring a pattern of agreements followed by renewed hostilities.

What Happens Next

Both governments have publicly stated their commitment to negotiations, but the repeated military exchanges have cast serious doubt on whether a broader, more durable agreement can be reached within the current 60-day window. Tillis said 'much more work' remained before any lasting deal could be secured. With energy markets watching the Strait of Hormuz closely and US military assets on alert across the Gulf, the coming days will be a critical test of whether the MoU can survive its own terms.