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US and Iran vie for Strait of Hormuz, waterway key to global energy supplies, in latest attacks
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States and Iran each asserted Monday they controlled the Strait of Hormuz after a weekend of attacks stretching across the wider Middle East, further threatening any diplomacy to end the war. The attacks, sparked by Iran striking a container ship Sunday in the strait off the coast of Oman, again underlined that the waterway that once saw a fifth of the world's traded crude oil and natural gas pass through it remained the key issue in negotiations. The narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf has seen shipping disrupted since the start of the war as Iran maintained a chokehold on it by attacking commercial vessels around it, intimidating shippers. Iran and the U.S. are nearly at the midway point of the 60-day period of an interim deal that was supposed to set up talks for a permanent end to the war. Instead, it has devolved into a series of attacks over the strait and its future, worrying world leaders the Iran war fully could resume. “A return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement. US says it strikes dozens of targets in Iran The U.S. military’s Central Command described its forces as hitting dozens of sites in the strikes Monday, including air defense systems, radar sites, missile and drone equipment and small boats. “The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade,” Central Command said. “Iran does not control it.” Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a key power center in the country's theocracy that controls its ballistic missile arsenal, sharply rejected America's statement. “The Strait of Hormuz is our territory, and we will not allow a rogue and child-killing army from the other side of the world to continue its illegal interference in it,” the Guard said. Missile alert sirens sounded twice Monday in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, and Kuwait said it was intercepting hostile fire. There was no immediate word on damage in either country. In Jordan, the kingdom's military said it shot down four Iranian missiles in an incident that "resulted in zero casualties or material damage.” Jordan also hosts U.S. military forces and aircraft. Iranian state media acknowledged the latest attacks on its soil early Monday, describing explosions in several locations with at least one person being killed. Iranian attacks on Sunday stretched Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and even Oman — whose territorial waters with Iran make up the strait. Oman, which long has been an interlocutor between Tehran and the West, summoned an Iranian diplomat to criticize the attack. Meanwhile Monday, a base belonging to the armed wing of the Kurdistan Freedom Party, an Iranian Kurdish opposition group based in Iraq’s semiautonomous northern Kurdistan region, came under drone attack. Rebaz Sharifi, commander of the Kurdistan Militia Corps, said the strikes targeted the group’s Chamshar base, without giving details on casualties or damage. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Fighting focuses on the status of the strait The U.S. military early Sunday said it hit some 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition dumps, communication equipment and other sites — a far-heavier set of attacks than in two previous rounds of strikes in the last week. “We bombed the hell out of them last night,” U.S. President Donald Trump told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Iran retaliated by attacking nations in the region hosting U.S. military forces, while insisting it alone must control the strait and potentially charge vessels for traveling through it. “The era of one-sided deals is OVER,” Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s Parliament and a main negotiator, wrote. “We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.” Iran described the strait as being closed, while the U.S. military and Trump asserted that the strait remained open. Iran’s chokehold on the strait, however, has loosened as the U.S. military provided support to vessels moving along a southern route hugging the coastline of Oman. That new route has angered Iran, which launched repeated attacks on ships using it. Iran’s grip on the strait led to a global energy crisis, though oil prices have sharply dropped since wartime highs of $120 a barrel. Attacks followed more diplomatic talks about the strait Trump suggested last week that the interim deal in the war was “over.” But mediators, including Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt, have continued efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war. A regional official involved in mediation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss talks, said efforts to shore up the ceasefire continued Sunday. Pakistan said its foreign minister spoke by phone with Iran’s top diplomat and urged “de-escalation” on both sides. Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, unseen since the war began, on Saturday vowed in his first statement since the funeral of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that Iranians would avenge his killing. ___ Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Stella Martany in Irbil, Iraq, contributed to this report.
Iran Strikes US Bases in Three Countries in Escalating Retaliation
https://sputnikglobe.com/20260713/iran-strikes-us-bases-in-three-countries-in-escalating-retaliation-1124438206.html Iran Strikes US Bases in Three Countries in Escalating Retaliation Iran Strikes US Bases in Three Countries in Escalating Retaliation Sputnik International Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army launched coordinated strikes on US military installations in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait on Monday, escalating retaliation following US attacks that killed a civilian in Iran's Khuzestan province. 2026-07-13T03:59+0000 2026-07-13T03:59+0000 2026-07-13T04:29+0000 us-israel war on iran iran jordan bahrain middle east islamic revolutionary guard corps (irgc) us us-iran relations us bases https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/11/1117974089_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_ad01077198def7d26ec27e7f8a39ba9f.jpg.webp The IRGC announced it destroyed fuel and ammunition depots at Prince Hassan Airbase in Jordan using ballistic missiles and drones. Social media footage showed at least 12 missiles fired at the facility, which hosts US forces and is a key installation near the Iraqi border.Iran also struck Bahrain, targeting and destroying the US drone command and control center. Reports indicate that the US Naval Support Facility (5th Fleet HQ) and Sheikh Issa Airbase were directly hit, with both facilities reportedly on fire. The IRGC said the strikes also hit a helicopter maintenance center and a P-8 electronic warfare aircraft hangar.In Kuwait, the IRGC and Iranian Army conducted joint strikes on US military facilities. Targets included fuel tanks, a Patriot air defense system, and an AN/FPS strategic radar system at Ali Salem and Ahmad Al‑Jaber bases. The strikes also targeted US forces, air defense systems, missile systems, shelters, and support facilities.The Kuwaiti Armed Forces confirmed air defense activity over its territory.On Sunday, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until US intervention in the region ceases. The move came amid another wave of exchanges of strikes between the US and Iran. iran jordan bahrain Sputnik International [email protected] +74956456601 MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“ 2026 Sputnik International [email protected] +74956456601 MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“ News en_EN https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/11/1117974089_341:0:3072:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_017598515c6d916eb50b0236465469f0.jpg.webp Sputnik International [email protected] +74956456601 MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“ Sputnik International [email protected] +74956456601 MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“ iran, jordan, bahrain, middle east, islamic revolutionary guard corps (irgc), us, us-iran relations, us bases iran, jordan, bahrain, middle east, islamic revolutionary guard corps (irgc), us, us-iran relations, us bases Iran Strikes US Bases in Three Countries in Escalating Retaliation 03:59 GMT 13.07.2026 (Updated: 04:29 GMT 13.07.2026) Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army launched coordinated strikes on US military installations in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait on Monday, escalating retaliation following US attacks that killed a civilian in Iran's Khuzestan province. The IRGC announced it destroyed fuel and ammunition depots at Prince Hassan Airbase in Jordan using ballistic missiles and drones. Social media footage showed at least 12 missiles fired at the facility, which hosts US forces and is a key installation near the Iraqi border. Iran also struck Bahrain, targeting and destroying the US drone command and control center. Reports indicate that the US Naval Support Facility (5th Fleet HQ) and Sheikh Issa Airbase were directly hit, with both facilities reportedly on fire. The IRGC said the strikes also hit a helicopter maintenance center and a P-8 electronic warfare aircraft hangar. In Kuwait, the IRGC and Iranian Army conducted joint strikes on US military facilities. Targets included fuel tanks, a Patriot air defense system, and an AN/FPS strategic radar system at Ali Salem and Ahmad Al‑Jaber bases. The strikes also targeted US forces, air defense systems, missile systems, shelters, and support facilities. The Kuwaiti Armed Forces confirmed air defense activity over its territory. On Sunday, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until US intervention in the region ceases. The move came amid another wave of exchanges of strikes between the US and Iran.
Why the Iran-US ceasefire is falling apart
Why the Iran-US ceasefire is falling apart Iran and the US have resumed fighting because they don’t see each other as ‘reliable negotiating partners’, says analyst Ali Vaez. Neither Iran nor the United States seems able to deliver a “knockout blow at an acceptable price” to the other side, and both know “they have no choice other than engaging in diplomacy”, but they’re not ready to make uncomfortable concessions, argues Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at International Crisis Group. Vaez tells host Steve Clemons that Tehran and Washington are trying to “enforce their own interpretation” of the ceasefire agreement they signed last month. President Trump has become “frustrated” with diplomacy because he’s not seeing “the kind of quick results that he likes to see”, Vaez says. Published On 12 Jul 2026
Iran Launches Missiles at Kuwait, US Retaliates | Trump Says Strait of Hormuz Remains Open
Iran Launches Missiles at Kuwait, US Retaliates | Trump Says Strait of Hormuz Remains Open Breaking News | Tensions in West Asia have escalated after Iran launched missile attacks targeting Kuwait, prompting US retaliatory strikes. The exchange has intensified concerns over regional security and the safety of global energy supply routes.US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz remains open despite heightened tensions, as governments and markets closely monitor the situation. The Strait is one of the world's most critical oil shipping lanes, making any disruption a major global concern. n18oc_breaking-newsn18oc_indiaNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtubeLast Updated: July 12, 2026, 23:15 IST Advertisement more Videos Check Latest Updates on Iran US Israel War, India vs Sri Lanka Live Score and TMC MP Crisis News.
US-Iran strikes resume as Trump says ceasefire may be over
US-Iran strikes resume as Trump says ceasefire may be over The United States and Iran have traded fresh strikes as Donald Trump said their ceasefire was over. The renewed violence has again put the Strait of Hormuz and stalled nuclear diplomacy at the centre of the crisis. The United States and Iran have again exchanged strikes after a week in which US President Donald Trump suggested their fragile negotiations might be “over”. The two sides are now nearing the halfway mark of the 60-day period that began when they signed an interim deal aimed at permanently ending the war. The conflict continues to affect lives across the region, including in Iran, Israel and Lebanon, as well as foreign residents in Gulf countries, US military personnel in several countries and mariners on ships still trying to leave the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway between Iran and Oman has become one of Tehran’s main points of pressure in the talks, with Iran insisting that it alone now controls the strait. The war began on February 28, when Israel and the US attacked Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials. Iran quickly responded with strikes on Israel and across the Gulf and said it had taken control of the Strait of Hormuz. On March 2, the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon entered the war by firing rockets at Israel, prompting Israeli retaliation and an invasion that came to occupy large parts of southern Lebanon. On March 8, Iran named Khamenei’s son Mojtaba as the new supreme leader. He has not been seen in public and is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being hurt in the opening strikes. A two-week ceasefire was reached on April 7, though Israel was not part of those discussions. On April 12, the US and Iran ended hours of face-to-face talks in Pakistan’s capital without an agreement. A day later, Trump said the US had begun a blockade of Iranian ports to pressure Tehran to give up its grip on the strait. On April 14, Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington. Iran said on April 17 that it had reopened the strait to shipping, but that did not last, and on April 21 Trump said he was extending the ceasefire indefinitely. On May 3, Trump announced a US effort to guide ships through the strait, but that also did not last. By May 31, Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon had made its deepest incursion in more than a quarter-century, while Hezbollah continued to target northern Israel. Israel and Lebanon said on June 3 that they had agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire and create security zones excluding Hezbollah, but both sides quickly resumed firing at each other. On June 7, Iran bombarded Israel for the first time since the April ceasefire took effect, and Israel fired back. Trump said on June 14 that an interim deal with Iran had been reached and would be signed within days, while Iran said the deal also meant an end to fighting in Lebanon. On June 17, Trump signed an agreement under which Tehran would dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and US-backed sanctions would be waived, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely. Vice President JD Vance said on June 22 that new talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland had created a “good foundation for a successful final deal.” On June 26, Israel and Lebanon announced a US-backed framework agreement that was described as a first step towards peace. Host Qatar said on July 1 that US and Iranian negotiators met separately with Qatari and Pakistani mediators, with “positive progress made”. On July 2, Iran’s joint military command warned that all oil tankers moving through the strait had to use its approved routes or face a “forceful response”. Iran began a multi-day funeral for Khamenei on July 4, and talks with the US on the war and Iran’s nuclear programme were expected to resume after it ended. But on July 7, Iran was accused of striking three ships in the strait as traffic slowly increased to its highest level in a single day since late April. The US then struck dozens of targets in Iran and reinstated sanctions on Iranian oil sales. Tehran’s lead negotiator said, “The era of bullying and extortion is over.” On July 8, Trump declared the ceasefire was “over” but said negotiations could continue, raising fears that the war could flare up again. Days of attacks followed, with Iran also firing at Arab states in the region. On July 10, Trump threatened Iran with more strikes, saying he was responding to calls for his death during Khamenei’s funeral. On July 12, the US military said it had hit more than 140 targets in Iran after an Iranian strike on a container ship in the strait left one crew member missing. Tehran said the strait was closed until calm was restored, while the US said it remained open. The timeline shows that repeated ceasefires and talks have been interrupted by fresh strikes, while the fighting has spread across Iran, Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining central to the dispute even after the interim US-Iran deal. With PTI Inputs
US launches more strikes on Iran after commercial ship struck in Strait of Hormuz - The Korea Times
WASHINGTON/DUBAI — The U.S. military said it launched another round of strikes on Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a container ship traveling through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. A series of attacks between the U.S. and Iran over the past several days led President Donald Trump to declare the end of a ceasefire meant to halt the fighting that the U.S. and Israel began on February 28, though Trump has left the door open to continued negotiations. Iran said it closed the vital Strait of Hormuz after firing a warning shot that struck a vessel traveling on an unapproved route. It warned that any retaliation over the incident would be met with a "severe response." U.S. Central Command identified the vessel as the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship, saying it suffered significant engine-room damage and that a civilian crew member was missing. Strait of Hormuz again the focus of war, diplomacy The war has destabilized the Gulf, while Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has caused energy prices to surge, fuelling global inflation. Higher prices, especially for gasoline, are a politically sensitive issue for Trump ahead of November congressional elections. Iran said several ships attempted to move through the waterway on an "unauthorized route" and disregarded warnings to correct their course. The strait — which was a conduit before the war for one-fifth of the world's oil and LNG supplies — will remain closed until "the end of U.S. interference in this region," the Revolutionary Guards said. Central Command said it began its strikes at 7:15 p.m. ET (2315 GMT) on Saturday, roughly an hour after the Iranians released their statement, which included a warning that "new enemy bases" in the Middle East would be targeted if the United States retaliated for the container ship incident. Trump ordered the strikes, Central Command said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Washington demands that Tehran publicly state it will stop attacks on ships in the strait — and that all lanes will be open without tolls, senior U.S. officials have said. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement. "There can only be mutual compliance," he wrote on X on Friday. The U.S. revoked the license authorizing the sale of Iranian crude on Tuesday after three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers came under fire earlier in the week, prompting the U.S. to hit Iranian sites. Iran then struck U.S. military sites in Gulf states. While Iran has not claimed responsibility for the ship attacks, analysts say Tehran uses such actions to gain leverage in negotiations. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Iran, the U.S., Qatar and Pakistan had agreed to negotiate in a call that mediators were trying to arrange for Saturday while Araqchi was in Oman, a Gulf state trying to mediate an end to the war. It was not immediately clear whether those efforts succeeded. Iran vows to 'avenge the blood of the martyred leader' Araqchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi met in Oman to exchange "views on appropriate mechanisms for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz," according to a statement from the Iranian foreign minister. Oman's state news agency said Omani and Iranian negotiators would continue talks "at the technical and political levels." CNN reported on Saturday that Oman made a draft proposal for the strait, including free navigation through its southern corridor in Omani territorial waters. The plan called for vessels transiting the northern corridor through Iranian territorial waters to obtain prior approval from Iran, although no tolls would be imposed, CNN said. The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the CNN report. A written statement from Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, on Saturday threatened vengeance for the death of his predecessor and father, who was killed in the war's initial attacks. It said the vengeance would take place whatever happened to Iran. "We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs," the message said. The statement was released to mark funeral ceremonies for the former leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Thursday. His son did not attend the ceremony and has not been seen in public since the war began. Trump had posted on Friday that he had ordered the U.S. military to be prepared to launch thousands of missiles against Iran if Tehran attempted to assassinate him. The Wall Street Journal and other U.S. media reported in recent days that Israel had shared intelligence with Washington that Iran had recently devised a plan to assassinate Trump. Iran has not commented on the assassination claims. At the funeral ceremonies on Thursday, a huge crowd of mourners packed a courtyard, some bearing banners reading, "We Will Kill Trump."
US launches strikes as Iran says Strait of Hormuz closed
The US military launched fresh strikes on Iran after it struck a container ship, while Tehran said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz and escalated attacks on US facilities in states across the Gulf. A series of attacks between the US and Iran over the past several days led President Donald Trump to declare the end of a ceasefire meant to halt the fighting that the US and Israel began on 28 February, although Mr Trump has left the door open to continued negotiations. Iran said it closed the strait after firing a warning shot that struck a vessel traveling on an unapproved route. It warned that any retaliation over the incident would be met with a "severe response." US Central Command, however, said commercial vessels continue to transit through the waterway that carried one-fifth of the world's oil and LNG shipments before the war. Central Command said US forces hit 140 Iranian military targets yesterday, out of more than 300 during three nights of strikes "to degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels freely transiting the strait." Iranian state media reported explosions in a number of port cities. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said today that they had destroyed a command and control centre and drone hangars at a base in US ally Jordan, targeted a US military radar site in Kuwait, attacked US aircraft carrier support and refuelling platforms in Oman and destroyed a fighter jet maintenance centre and command and control facility in Qatar. The Guards also said they had struck and disabled a second vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems engaged missiles and drones from Iran, while warning sirens sounded in Bahrain and explosions were heard in Doha. Iran's strikes marked a sharp escalation in pace and targets. In recent weeks, Iran had hit sites in Kuwait and Bahrain while avoiding Qatar since early April and the UAE since early May. The war has destabilised the Gulf, while Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has caused energy prices to surge, fuelling global inflation and raising fears of an economic slowdown. Higher prices, especially for fuel, are a politically sensitive issue for Mr Trump ahead of November congressional elections. Iran said several ships attempted to move through the waterway on an "unauthorised route" and disregarded warnings to correct their course. The strait will remain closed until "the end of US interference in this region," the Revolutionary Guards said. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement. "There can only bemutual compliance," he wrote on X on Friday. This morning, Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf posted on X: "The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking." The US revoked the license authorising the sale of Iranian crude on Tuesday after three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers came under fire earlier in the week, prompting the US to hit Iranian sites. Iran then struck US military sites in Gulf states. While Iran has not claimed responsibility for the ship attacks, analysts say Tehran uses such actions to gain leverage in negotiations. Mr Araqchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi met in Oman to exchange "views on appropriate mechanisms for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz," according to a statement from the Iranian foreign minister. Oman's state news agency said Omani and Iranian negotiators would continue talks "at the technical and political levels." A written statement from Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, yesterday threatened vengeance for the death of his predecessor and father, who was killed in the war's initial attacks. It said the vengeance would take place whatever happened to Iran. "We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs," the message said. The statement was released to mark funeral ceremonies for the former leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Thursday. His son did not attend the ceremonies and has not been seen in public since the war began.
Trump vs Supreme Leader Mojtaba: US warns it will ‘destroy all areas of Iran’; Tehran vows Khamenei revenge
US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to launch devastating military strikes against Iran if Tehran attempts to assassinate him, while Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to avenge the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the latest escalation threatening to derail already fragile US-Iran diplomacy. The exchange came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Oman for talks aimed at rescuing negotiations after a week of renewed hostilities over the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has also demanded that Iran publicly commit to keeping the strategic waterway open to commercial shipping and stop attacks on vessels, warning of consequences if it refuses. The renewed rhetoric follows days of US airstrikes on Iranian targets and Iranian retaliatory attacks on Gulf states after Tehran targeted commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting President Trump to declare the US-Iran ceasefire “over” while keeping the door open for further negotiations. Trump: ‘1,000 missiles are locked and loaded’ In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump warned Iran against carrying out any assassination attempt against him. “1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!” Trump added that the US military was prepared to launch overwhelming retaliation. “Orders have already been given… the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able… to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran — PRAISE BE TO ALLAH!” Story continues below this ad The remarks came days after US media reported that Israel had shared intelligence with Washington alleging Iran had recently discussed a possible assassination plot targeting Trump. During Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral earlier this week, mourners carried banners calling for the deaths of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mojtaba Khamenei vows revenge Hours after Trump’s warning, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei publicly vowed to avenge the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in US-Israeli strikes earlier this year. Speaking in remarks broadcast by Iranian state television, Mojtaba said: “The revenge for my father’s blood is the will of our nation and must certainly be carried out.” Story continues below this ad The statement marked one of his strongest public comments since succeeding his father following months of war between Iran, the United States and Israel. Hormuz crisis dominates Oman talks The latest confrontation comes as diplomatic efforts continue in Oman to prevent the collapse of negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Muscat on Saturday for talks with Omani officials, a day after Qatari mediators met Iranian leaders in Tehran. The Strait of Hormuz remains the central sticking point. The Trump administration has demanded that Iran publicly declare that all shipping lanes through the strait will remain open and that commercial vessels will no longer be targeted. Story continues below this ad US officials have argued that Tehran’s attacks on merchant ships violated the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries last month and raised doubts about Iran’s willingness to implement any future nuclear agreement. Iran, however, continues to insist that the strategic waterway should remain under its control and has argued that ships transiting the strait should pay fees to Tehran. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said Friday that any decision on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz “rests exclusively with Iran.” Iran accuses US of violating interim deal Ahead of the Oman talks, Araghchi accused Washington of breaching the interim agreement by revoking waivers that had allowed Iran to sell crude oil in US dollars. “Reality check: There can only be mutual compliance,” Araghchi wrote on X. Story continues below this ad Washington ended the waivers following Iran’s attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed optimism that diplomacy could still succeed, saying he believed a solution could emerge from the weekend negotiations. US says nuclear deal hinges on uranium and Hormuz Senior US officials said Washington would not finalise any nuclear agreement unless Iran first halted attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. They also reiterated that any future agreement would require Tehran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium — a longstanding US demand that Iran has repeatedly rejected. Story continues below this ad Officials warned that if diplomacy failed, Washington retained military options to ensure Iran could not regain access to the enriched uranium believed to be stored at nuclear sites previously struck by US forces. Fresh strikes deepen uncertainty The diplomatic push follows one of the most dangerous weeks since the US-Iran war began. The latest fighting erupted after Iran targeted commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting two rounds of US strikes against Iranian military infrastructure. Iran retaliated by launching attacks against US-linked targets in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan. Iran’s Health Ministry said at least 17 people were killed and 115 wounded during the latest US strikes. Story continues below this ad Despite the renewed violence, both Washington and Tehran have indicated they remain willing to continue negotiations, though the exchange of threats and disagreements over Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme continue to cast doubt over whether a broader agreement can still be reached. (With inputs from agencies)
Iran war: Trump in assassination attempt as Israel reportedly shared new intelligence - Businessday NG
Israel has reportedly shared new intelligence with the United States indicating that Iran may be planning an assassination attempt against President Donald Trump, allegedly in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the reports, Israeli intelligence recently alerted U.S. officials to what it described as a new Iranian plot targeting Trump. While the exact details of the alleged plan have not been made public, the intelligence reportedly prompted heightened security discussions between Washington and Jerusalem. U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed the existence of a specific, imminent assassination plot. However, reports say American intelligence has been monitoring persistent threats against Trump from Iranian-linked actors, with the latest Israeli warning focusing on a newly identified threat. The reported warning comes amid sharply escalating tensions between the United States and Iran following the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei and renewed military confrontations in the region. Trump has previously declared that if Iran were to succeed in assassinating him, the United States would respond with overwhelming military force. Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to dateOpen In Whatsapp
Watch Hormuz Dispute Clouds US Iran Diplomacy - Bloomberg
Jul 11th, 2026 Hormuz Dispute Clouds US Iran Diplomacy Bloomberg News Middle East reporter Dan Williams says negotiations between the US and Iran remain focused on securing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, even as President Donald Trump's escalating rhetoric underscores the fragile state of the ceasefire. Williams says Iran's leadership remains opaque, questioned claims that recent attacks on commercial shipping reflected a command failure, and warned that Tehran could emerge with greater strategic leverage if it retains effective control over the vital waterway.
Saudi foreign minister, US secretary of state discuss regional issues
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the latest regional developments in a phone call on Saturday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said, Anadolu reports. The statement, posted on the US social media company X, highlighted the importance of “continuing coordination and joint consultation to achieve security and stability in the region.” No further details were revealed regarding the content of the discussions. Tensions in the Middle East have escalated after the US and Israel began strikes on Iran in late February. In response, Tehran retaliated with strikes on Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets, including Saudi Arabia. In mid-June, Iran and the US reached a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding aimed at ending their military conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement. However, both sides exchanged attacks over the last few days amid an escalation following Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran launched a series of strikes Thursday on US military infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan in retaliation for a second consecutive night of US attacks.
Fight for Hormuz swings between missiles & diplomacy as Iran minister reaches Oman
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday the U.S. and Iran had agreed to continue talks despite an escalation of hostilities this week, while also declaring an end to the ceasefire reached between the two sides. No attacks were reported on Friday or early Saturday, however. Also Read: Iran gives US a 'reality check', says Washington broke ceasefire terms Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Saturday that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had arrived in Oman. The country is helping to mediate an end to a war that has spread insecurity in the Gulf and raised prices around the world since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28. CBS News and its UK partner the BBC both reported that U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected to lead negotiations on Saturday with Araqchi. Reuters was not immediately able to confirm the reports, which did not say whether they would be in Oman or attend virtually. Iran's Fars news agency later cited a source saying no negotiations would take place until the U.S. retreated from its positions. Also Read: US insists Iran commit to stopping attacks in Hormuz strait, say US officials IRAN SAYS U.S. HAS VIOLATED THE INTERIM AGREEMENT Araqchi accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement; the U.S. revoked the license authorizing the sale of Iranian crude on Tuesday after the vessels were hit. "There can only be mutual compliance," he wrote on X. Three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers came under fire earlier in the week, prompting the U.S. to hit Iranian sites, and Iran to respond with strikes on U.S. military sites in Gulf states. While Iran has not claimed responsibility for the ship attacks, analysts say Tehran uses such actions to gain leverage in negotiations. Senior U.S. officials told reporters on Friday that Iran had informed U.S. officials that recent attacks on shipping in the strait were from an "errant part of their system", comments that appeared to be aimed at calming tensions. The flareup cast further doubt over the future of an interim agreement aimed at ending the conflict and pushed oil prices higher, a politically sensitive issue for Trump ahead of November congressional elections. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Friday. Iran disputed Trump's interpretation, saying it had not requested talks with the U.S. but had agreed to host a Qatari mediator, state television reported. Qatari negotiators met officials in Iran on Friday to de-escalate tensions and discuss the Strait of Hormuz, a person with knowledge of the situation told Reuters. Trump also posted that he had ordered the U.S. military to be prepared to launch strikes against Iran if Tehran carried out or attempted an assassination of the president. "1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!," he posted. The Wall Street Journal and other U.S. media reported this week that Israel had shared intelligence with Washington that Iran had recently devised a plan to assassinate Trump. There was no immediate comment from Iran on Trump's latest remarks. At the funeral of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday, a huge crowd of mourners packed a courtyard, some bearing banners reading, "We Will Kill Trump." Khamenei was killed in an airstrike on the first day of the war. US OFFICIALS REPORT CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH IRAN The United States is demanding that Iran publicly state it will stop attacks on ships in the strait - and that all lanes will be open with no tolls through the waterway that carried one-fifth of global oil supplies before the war, the senior U.S. officials told reporters on Friday. During the war Tehran has largely taken control of the strait, forcing a stalemate in its confrontation with the world's most powerful military. At least 17 people were killed in U.S. strikes on six cities in Iran on Wednesday and Thursday, the head of the public relations and information center at Iran's Health Ministry said. He said 115 people were wounded. Even so, U.S. officials said conversations between the two countries had been productive in recent days. Tehran said any breach of commitments by Washington would be met with "reciprocal action," the foreign ministry spokesperson said, according to state media. Last month's interim deal was meant to pave the way to the end of a conflict now in its fifth month, which has killed thousands, throttled worldwide energy supplies and raised fears of a global economic downturn. Renewed fighting in the Gulf has increased the pain for U.S. consumers. After weeks of steady declines, crude oil prices posted their biggest weekly rise in eight weeks. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
China urges parties to uphold ceasefire, advance talks on Iran nuclear issue
A file photo of Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting, New York, US, December 23, 2025. /VCG A file photo of Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting, New York, US, December 23, 2025. /VCG China on Friday called for efforts to preserve the ceasefire and prevent further escalation in the Middle East, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving the Iran nuclear issue. Speaking at an open meeting of the UN Security Council on the Iran nuclear issue on Friday, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said tensions in the region had eased temporarily after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), but the ceasefire situation has since faced setbacks and prospects for negotiations remain complicated. "The proper resolution of the Iran nuclear issue bears on whether the Middle East can return to peace and stability, as well as the common interests of the international community," Sun said. He urged all relevant parties to advance negotiations with a rational and pragmatic approach. Sun noted that under the MoU, the United States and Iran committed to respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, permanently halting military activities on all fronts, and establishing a roadmap for negotiations and sanctions relief. China called on all parties to remove obstacles, refrain from resorting to force or threatening the use of force, and uphold and implement the outcomes of the MoU, Sun said. He also urged efforts to reach a solution that addresses the concerns of all sides, lift sanctions against Iran as soon as possible, and make substantive progress toward a political settlement. Sun stressed that resolving the Iran nuclear issue requires respecting the legitimate concerns and lawful rights of all parties. "Iran should continue to uphold its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, while its legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be respected," he said. Sun called on the United States to take concrete actions to create conditions for a political solution, adding that the Security Council's immediate priority should be to maintain an objective and impartial stance, provide time and space for diplomatic efforts, and create a favorable environment for negotiations. He stressed that the UN Security Council should not become a tool for individual countries to advance their political agendas or exert pressure. Before the meeting began, the Russian representative said that the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program, had expired and that the Iran nuclear issue had been removed from the Council's agenda. Russia requested a procedural vote on whether to proceed with the meeting. Sun later spoke in support of Russia's position. Sun said China has repeatedly stated that Resolution 2231 expired on October 18, 2025, after which the Security Council terminated its consideration of the Iran nuclear issue and the UN secretary-general should stop submitting related reports. "The current situation in the Middle East and the Iran nuclear issue are at a critical juncture. The Security Council should play a constructive role in promoting negotiations and easing tensions," Sun said. He expressed concern that some Security Council members had insisted on holding a meeting under an agenda item that had already been terminated, claiming to support diplomatic efforts. Such actions, he said, would not only deepen divisions within the Security Council, but also undermine the atmosphere for negotiations and seriously hinder a political resolution of the Iran nuclear issue. China urged relevant countries to stop political manipulation at the Security Council, implement the termination provisions of Resolution 2231, safeguard the authority of the Council and the credibility of multilateral diplomacy, and create favorable conditions for a political settlement. China voted against the procedural motion on the meeting agenda.
Trump reveals chilling assassination revenge plan
Donald Trump says he ordered devastating Iran retaliation if he is assassinated amid Middle East tensions US President Donald Trump says he has left instructions for Iran to be bombed “at levels that they’ve never seen before” if he is assassinated, amid renewed concerns over threats against his life following the latest escalation in the Middle East. Speaking to the New York Post, Mr Trump dismissed reports that Israel had recently warned him of a new Iranian assassination plot, insisting Tehran had considered him a target for years. “I’ve been on their list for a long time,” Mr Trump said. “The only thing is, I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.” Mr Trump rejected suggestions the latest concerns stemmed from fresh Israeli intelligence. “No, no. Israel came up with nothing,” he said. “I’ve been No. 1 for a long time, and it’s the way life is, you know. “I hope you’ll miss me.” While a sitting president can issue military orders, any directive made for after a president’s death would not automatically bind a successor. If Mr Trump were no longer in office, decisions over any military response would rest with the next president. Under the current line of succession, that would be Vice President JD Vance, who has reportedly expressed reservations privately about escalating conflict with Iran. Security concerns surrounding Mr Trump resurfaced this week after he switched aircraft during his return journey from Turkey following the NATO summit in Ankara. Mr Trump travelled to Turkey aboard the new Air Force One gifted by Qatar, before transferring to an older presidential aircraft at a Royal Air Force base en route to the United Kingdom. According to The New York Times, the change was requested by the US Secret Service. “I’m number 1 on the kill list for Iran,” Mr Trump replied. “I’m on every single one of their lists, and so far I guess I’ve been a little bit lucky, but that maybe doesn’t last very long, because that’s the way it goes.” The aircraft swap came after reports that Mr Trump’s new presidential jet had not yet been fitted with the same missile detection and countermeasure systems installed on the previous Air Force One fleet. Meanwhile, Mr Trump claimed on Truth Social that Iran had approached the United States about resuming negotiations despite the latest exchange of hostilities. “We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!” Mr Trump wrote. Your cookie settings are preventing this third party content from displaying. If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. The president has repeatedly claimed Iran is seeking talks since fighting intensified earlier this year, although Tehran has not publicly confirmed those assertions. At the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this week, mourners were seen carrying placards calling for Mr Trump’s death. Some simply read: “Kill Trump”. Mr Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in 2024, where a bullet grazed his ear. Four serving US presidents have been assassinated while in office, making the presidency one of the world’s highest-risk political positions.
Egypt and Qatar call for restart of US-Iran talks
This is an entry from: Live: US 'not responsible' for latest strikes on Iran Egypt and Qatar call for restart of US-Iran talks 10 July 2026 16:59 BST Egyptian and Qatari foreign ministers on Friday called on the United States and Iran to resume negotiations, as President Donald Trump said Washington had agreed to continue talks with Tehran but repeated that the ceasefire between the two countries was over. During a phone call, Egypt's Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "urged all parties to give priority to the language of diplomacy and dialogue and to return to the negotiating table", Egypt's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Guns Fall Silent As Trump Says US-Iran Talks On Again, But Insists 'In No Uncertain Terms, Ceasefire Is OVER'
Guns Fall Silent As Trump Says US-Iran Talks On Again, But Insists 'In No Uncertain Terms, Ceasefire Is OVER' The guns have actually been silent in the Middle East overnight, after two days of deadly strikes between the United States and Iran, amid a general return to premarket open headlines of 'peace imminent again' as mediators desperately work to get diplomacy back on track. The White House position is that the ceasefire is over but that Washington has agreed to reengage Tehran in mediated talks. Trump indicates US has agreed to Iran talks, but United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that cease fire is over. The New York Times writes early Friday that "Qatar, which helped broker the U.S.-Iran truce last month, has been in talks with Washington and Tehran to de-escalate the crisis, according to two officials with knowledge of the matter, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy. In recent days, several other regional countries — Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, all of which host U.S. military facilities — said they have come under Iranian attack." via Shutterstock/National Interest The same report further says, "Even as the fighting appeared to subside on Friday, it remained unclear whether the latest mediation efforts could prevent that cycle from repeating." The situation has devolved into a "dangerous test of wills, with each side trying to show that it can absorb the other’s attacks and respond forcefully, without tipping the conflict back into full-scale war," NYT continues. And separately Bloomberg also reports, "Talks between the US and Iran on a permanent peace deal are continuing, according to a US official, despite two days of clashes that threatened an already fragile ceasefire. The renewed hostilities risk undermining efforts to rebuild depleted global oil inventories, the International Energy Agency said." Bloomberg continues: "Oil prices steadied on Friday after a bumpy week. While gasoline prices have fallen since the fragile ceasefire, they’ve lagged crude’s sharp decline, prompting one asset manager to buy protection against stickier-than-expected US inflation." There appears real movement on this, given also that Reuters is freshly reporting that Qatar negotiators are currently in Iran to meet Iranian officials, as part of the effort to immediately de-escalate tensions and create conditions for broader negotiations. Still, the crisis is on edge and full-scale war could return at any moment, also as the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency is once again alerting global vessels security threat in the Strait of Hormuz remains at its highest level. In Iran, the burial of the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has finally concluded, and the IRGC's top commander, Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi, has pledged vengeance against the US and Israel for the assassination, saying it won’t "be erased from the historical memory." The Revolutionary Guard chief called for the "full realization of justice and a fitting response to the criminals, especially the child-killing American army." An estimated 41-43 million people attended the six-day funeral for the late Khamenei, according to Iranian media. NEW: Iran warns it will retaliate against infrastructure attacks and strike Israel in response. pic.twitter.com/JmkyZ7Zeyy — Clash Report (@clashreport) July 10, 2026 In the meantime we commented overnight on who is not seeking permanent Iran peace at this point, on lingering concerns about the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. The Wall Street Journal in a Thursday evening report says that Israel has provided fresh intelligence to the White House indicating just such a Tehran-linked plot. The timing is quite curious and interesting given it comes just as the warring sides standing on the brink of returning once again either to talks, or to full-scale war: Israel shared new intelligence with the U.S. that it said indicated a fresh Iranian plan to kill President Trump, people familiar with the matter said, a finding that would mark an escalation in the war between Washington and Iran. Iran for years has vowed openly to retaliate against Trump for the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, who was a top general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in the president’s first term. The Israeli embassy in Washington declined to comment. Iran’s Mission to the United Nations didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House referred The Wall Street Journal to comments the president made on Wednesday. The Israelis have remained deeply dissatisfied with terms laid out in the previously agreed-to MoU, and so have every incentive to goad Washington further into the conflict. Certainly many within the US administration know this, and so might be taking this new 'intelligence warning' - which was leaked rather quickly to major media - with the appropriate degree of skepticism. The US has still - somewhat surprisingly - affirmed it remains engaged in 'technical talks' with Iran, despite the prior days of tit-for-tat bombings. "Technical talks between the US and Iran are continuing, according to a US official, following two days of clashes that threatened to shatter an already fragile ceasefire between the two nations," reports Bloomberg, also late in the day Thursday. "The US is still committed to finding a solution with Iran, the official said Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter." Israel says ready to attack Iran for 'third time if necessary' pic.twitter.com/KDkJ62iEfJ — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) July 10, 2026 So it appears there's still hope that things might not spiral further. As for the alleged assassination plot, this isn't the first time Iran has faced such accusations, and each time Tehran officials have vehemently denied them. Tyler Durden Fri, 07/10/2026 - 10:40
Iran Warns Israel 'Will Not Be Spared' As Tehran Threatens Retaliation Over Infrastructure Strikes
Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on Friday that Tehran would retaliate against any attacks on its infrastructure, and that Israel would not be spared from the response of what he called Iran's fighters. His remarks, carried by Iranian state television, come at a moment when the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, which had paused hostilities since April, appears to be unravelling after a fresh round of clashes over the past week. ALSO READ | 'Pay The Price': Iran MP Issues Warning To UAE Over Cooperation With US Fresh Strikes Raise Questions Over Who Is Behind Them A series of unclaimed air strikes hit areas across southern Iran on Thursday, even as the country prepared to bury its late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran's government has not directly blamed anyone for the strikes, though one lawmaker warned the United Arab Emirates over allegedly supporting the US campaign against Iran. Gulf Arab states, which have repeatedly come under Iranian attack since the war began on February 28, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Separately, Israeli intelligence reportedly shared information with Washington this week about a new plan by Iran to assassinate US President Donald Trump, according to US media reports. Trump briefed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday about American operations in the Gulf, with Netanyahu's office saying coordination between the two countries had been established across several sectors. ALSO READ | 48 Hours Of Terror: Iranians Recall Chaos After US Strikes On Port Cities Qatar Steps In To Ease Tensions Amid the escalation, Qatari negotiators are in Iran holding talks with officials there aimed at de-escalating tensions and creating conditions for broader negotiations to resume, Reuters reported, adding that the talks are being coordinated with the United States. Separately, Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom said the first six employees of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant have begun returning to the site, months after hundreds of staff were evacuated when the US and Israel launched their war against Iran in February. Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
Iran warns Israel of retaliation as diplomacy struggles to prevent renewed fighting
After two consecutive nights of exchanges of fire, the overnight hours between Thursday and Friday Israel time were quiet. No renewed fighting between the United States and Iran was reported Friday morning after a U.S. official said Washington had decided to let diplomacy take the lead. By midday, The New York Times reported that regional mediators, particularly Qatar, were working hard to prevent a renewed war between the United States and Iran. Two officials told the newspaper that Qatar is currently in contact with both sides. At the same time, however, Iran issued an explicit threat of further escalation, including toward Israel. According to Iranian media, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said: "The most hated figure in the world" — referring to President Donald Trump — "has once again directed at the great Iranian nation the very words that truly describe himself. He is enraged by the powerful historical epic created by the peoples of Iran and Iraq during the funeral procession of the martyred leader. As we have stated before, any attack on our infrastructure will be met with retaliation, and the criminal Zionist regime, which stands behind these evil acts, will not be immune from the response of the fighters." The renewed diplomatic contacts come as Iran's leadership continues to reject compromise on any of its demands, raising questions over what happens next in what increasingly appears to be a deadlock. Even before renewed nuclear talks have begun, the two sides have failed to agree on the implementation of a memorandum of understanding that has already been signed. Trump said this week that, in his view, the memorandum is no longer valid. "If Mr. Trump and his aides now have a Plan C — after bombing and a preliminary accord failed — they have not described it," New York Times columnist David Sanger wrote in an analysis of what he described as Trump's current predicament. "Instead, it appears that they are returning to the oil sanctions and bombing runs that Mr. Trump describes as devastating, but that so far have only led to the current tangle," Sanger wrote. He was referring, among other things, to the administration's decision to revoke Iran's oil sanctions waiver under the memorandum of understanding, although Trump has not, for now, reinstated a naval blockade. Sanger also cited remarks made Wednesday by Vice President JD Vance: "So, the deal is very simple. If they shoot at ships, we’re going to knock the hell out of them" "In other words," Sanger wrote, "carrots are out. Sticks are back. But the administration has yet to answer why it believes this combination of economic warfare and bombing will yield a different result this time." Richard N. Haass, a veteran former State Department diplomat who served under President George W. Bush, was quoted in Sanger's analysis as saying the United States is now facing a " strategic dead-end." "The dilemma here," Haass said, "is that the more we attack, the more the Iranians attack the Gulf oil and energy infrastructure. And the administration still has not figured out how to defend those sites." The disp ute that triggered the latest round of escalation is the same one that has fueled previous flare-ups since the memorandum was signed. Iran insists on controlling traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments, and refuses to restore navigation to the prewar status quo, when maritime traffic moved freely through the waterway. Article 5 of the memorandum, drafted in deliberately vague language, states that Iran and Oman will hold discussions on the strait's future management, leaving the door open for Tehran to press its sovereignty claims. The latest escalation began after Iran, as in previous incidents, attacked oil tankers and commercial vessels sailing through the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, the route closer to Oman. Tehran insists that ships use only the lane adjacent to Iranian waters, which is under its direct control. On Thursday, as the latest escalation was still unfolding, CNN also published an analysis examining Trump's options. "HWhat options does Trump have now in Iran? Not many, and they’re all bad," the headline read. CNN described Trump's predicament — after he acknowledged when signing the memorandum last month that even weeks of additional bombing were unlikely to change the situation significantly while global oil reserves continue to shrink — as follows: "President Donald Trump’s Iran entanglement is beginning to resemble a visual illusion known as the Penrose stairs, which endlessly climb and descend but always end up in the same place." "The predicament is of Trump’s own making," CNN concluded, "after he launched a war that never promised a definitive exit and crafted a memorandum of understanding that failed to address the reasons for the conflict."
Iran will respond against Israel if infrastructure attacked: Security official
Iran will respond to any attack against its infrastructure, including by striking Israel, the head of the country's top security body said on Friday, as Tehran and Washington have resumed fighting this week. "Any attack on infrastructure will be retaliated against, and the criminal Zionist regime responsible for these atrocities will not be safe from the response of our fighters," Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr said in a statement carried by state TV. Fighting picked up again this week between the US and Iran in the most significant exchange of fire since the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17, seeking to formalise an April ceasefire and guide talks to conclusively end the war. The US military carried out heavy strikes overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, saying it targeted 90 military sites. But the Islamic republic accused Washington of also targeting civilian infrastructure in order to detract from the funeral of late supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Bridges and railway links between the capital Tehran and Khamenei's hometown of Mashhad, where he was buried on Thursday, were hit, according to Iran. Iranian authorities say 17 people have been killed in US strikes. Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the Israeli prime minister spoke on Thursday with the US president, who informed him of the latest American moves in the Gulf. Later on Thursday evening, Iranian state media reported a US-Israeli attack on a military headquarters near Bushehr, where Iran's only civilian nuclear plant is located. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel was prepared to resume its military campaign against Iran if needed, vowing to do so "with even greater force". (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) "Any attack on infrastructure will be retaliated against, and the criminal Zionist regime responsible for these atrocities will not be safe from the response of our fighters," Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr said in a statement carried by state TV. Fighting picked up again this week between the US and Iran in the most significant exchange of fire since the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17, seeking to formalise an April ceasefire and guide talks to conclusively end the war. The US military carried out heavy strikes overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, saying it targeted 90 military sites. But the Islamic republic accused Washington of also targeting civilian infrastructure in order to detract from the funeral of late supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Bridges and railway links between the capital Tehran and Khamenei's hometown of Mashhad, where he was buried on Thursday, were hit, according to Iran. Iranian authorities say 17 people have been killed in US strikes. Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the Israeli prime minister spoke on Thursday with the US president, who informed him of the latest American moves in the Gulf. Later on Thursday evening, Iranian state media reported a US-Israeli attack on a military headquarters near Bushehr, where Iran's only civilian nuclear plant is located. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel was prepared to resume its military campaign against Iran if needed, vowing to do so "with even greater force". (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Prime ExclusivesInvestment IdeasStock Report PlusePaperWealth Edition
Iran warns Israel 'will not be spared' in future attacks | The Jerusalem Post
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, stated on Friday that any attacks on Iranian infrastructure will be met with retaliation, adding that "Israel will not be spared from the response," according to Iranian state media. His comments followed a statement from US President Donald Trump indicating that Washington is considering strikes on Iranian electrical manufacturing facilities, power plants, and desalination plants if tensions escalate. Zolghadr also referred to Trump as "the world's most hated figure" and criticized remarks he claimed were directed at the Iranian people, according to an Iran International report. Qatari negotiators in Iran for talks to de-escalate US-Iran tensions, source says Qatari negotiators are in Iran to meet Iranian officials to de-escalate tensions and create conditions for broader negotiations to continue, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters on Friday, adding that the talks are being conducted in coordination with the United States. The talks aim to address the implementation of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding and the issues that triggered the recent escalation between Washington and Tehran, including disputes over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the source said. This is a developing story.