Fresh Strikes Cast Doubt on U.S.-Iran Deal as Ceasefire Holds, Barely

New military strikes between the U.S. and Iran are raising fresh doubts about whether a peace deal is coming, even as both sides insist talks are still alive.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed Wednesday morning that it targeted a U.S. airbase, saying it was the same base from which American forces launched strikes that shot down four Iranian drones and destroyed a ground control station in southern Iran. The Pentagon has not confirmed either the Iranian strike or the claim about the base.

A U.S. official told NBC News the latest American strikes do not mean the ceasefire is over, calling them limited and defensive against threats to U.S. forces near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guard, however, warned that "aggression will not go unanswered" and could bring a stronger response.

Speaking to his cabinet Wednesday, President Trump said peace negotiations with Iran are still ongoing, though no deal has been reached. He suggested more strikes could follow if talks fall apart, saying, "They're negotiating on fumes. But we'll see what happens. Maybe we have to go back and finish it, maybe we don't."

Trump made clear he will not sign an agreement that allows Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. "The Strait will open immediately, immediately, but it's gotta be perfect," he said. "I didn't do this to get a crummy agreement."

Overnight, the Trump administration announced new sanctions against the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an organization Iran created to collect tolls from ships passing through the strait. Energy costs have been climbing since the conflict began, and polls show the war is growing increasingly unpopular with American voters heading into the midterms. Trump said political pressure is not a factor in his decisions, telling reporters, "They thought they were going to out-wait me. I don't care about the midterms."