Iran blames US for Hormuz dispute as both sides confirm ongoing talks

Iran has accused the United States of attempting to force open a new route through the Strait of Hormuz, bypassing Iranian authorities, which Iran states violates their interim peace deal and has escalated tensions. Iran's Foreign Minister asserted that the US should have consulted Tehran regarding any new routes, as per their agreement to open a direct communication line for dispute resolution. This comes amid signs of de-escalation, with no new US strikes reported in Iran for the first time in two weeks. Both sides confirm ongoing talks, with Iran reviewing proposals conveyed by mediators, though fundamental differences and mistrust persist. The dispute centers on control over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran claiming oversight rights under a Memorandum of Understanding, a claim the US disputes.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed a missile attack on Jizan, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, vowing retaliation for recent Saudi strikes. Saudi air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles targeting oil refineries. Meanwhile, Iran reported its first night without US strikes in two weeks, following a period of escalating tensions and US attacks on Iran after Iranian attacks on tankers. A June memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, appears to have broken down. Iran warned Gulf countries hosting US bases and threatened Britain if it supported the US in a conflict. Despite ongoing fighting, US President Trump stated negotiations with Iran were progressing well, though Iran's foreign minister cited the "American approach" as a hindrance to peace talks.

Iran has conducted drone strikes on US military facilities and bases across the Middle East, citing retaliation for American attacks. Explosions were reported along Iran's Gulf coast and in various inland areas, resulting in casualties. Iran also announced strikes on Kuwait, and sirens were heard in Bahrain and Jordan, with flights suspended in Iraq due to a reported drone crash. This escalation follows the US plan, announced by President Trump, to use frozen Iranian assets to cover war damages. Iran's Foreign Minister condemned this move, calling it an "incendiary precedent" that could lead to chaos.

A U.S. service member was killed in northern Iraq on Saturday during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Sunday. A second service member was wounded in the incident and is receiving medical treatment. This announcement coincided with CENTCOM confirming that unidentified remains were found Sunday in Jordan during the search for a U.S. service member reported missing after a separate Iranian attack on Friday. The attack in Jordan killed two U.S. service members and injured four others who were medically evacuated and later discharged. CENTCOM is withholding further details, including the identities of the fallen and missing, out of respect for their families.

The United States conducted air strikes against Iranian coastal surveillance and air defense facilities on Saturday night, targeting capabilities of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). These strikes, the eighth consecutive night of US action, were in retaliation for an IRGC attack that killed two US troops in Jordan. In response, Iran's army stated it launched drone attacks on two US bases in Kuwait. The US aims to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and punish forces responsible for the Jordan attack. Both nations have escalated attacks in recent days, with accusations of striking critical infrastructure.

The US military launched strikes on Iran for the eighth consecutive night, targeting areas in Hormozgan province, including Sirik and Qeshm Island. US Central Command stated these strikes were in retaliation for an Iranian attack in Jordan that killed two American service members and were designed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's semi-official news agencies reported the strikes, noting no casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure. In response, Iran's army reportedly targeted two US military bases in Kuwait, hitting an ammunition depot and radar systems. These actions follow weeks of escalating conflict, with both sides reporting casualties and damage to infrastructure.

Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent is urging the immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Middle East amidst ongoing conflict with Iran. Kent stated on X that the U.S. should leave to avoid mass casualties and break an escalation trap, suggesting former President Trump could still frame such a move as a victory. His comments followed U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announcements of two U.S. service members killed and one missing in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17, and another service member killed in Iraq on July 18 during a drone ordnance detonation. Kent previously resigned from his government post, citing opposition to the Iran war and asserting Iran posed no imminent threat, attributing the conflict's start to pressure from Israel and its lobby. He believes removing U.S. forces would deprive Iran of military targets and justifications for regional disruption.

The US military launched a new wave of strikes against Iran on Sunday, aiming to degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran stated these strikes rendered diplomatic efforts futile and accused the US of disrupting international shipping. The US military, under President Trump's direction, conducted approximately 140 strikes on Saturday night and continued further attacks on Sunday. These actions are part of an escalating cycle of attacks and counterattacks over control of the vital energy route. Iran had previously targeted US facilities and closed the strait, casting doubt on an interim truce agreement. The renewed violence has also impacted regional mediators like Qatar and the UAE.

The United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran on Sunday, aimed at degrading Iran's military capabilities to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. These attacks, authorized by President Trump, follow three previous days of tit-for-tat strikes between the two nations. Iran has reportedly responded with counterattacks on US military installations across the Middle East. This escalation is fraying a June ceasefire deal, which aimed for an immediate and permanent halt to hostilities and included provisions for Iran to facilitate commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the ongoing exchanges, the US maintains that traffic is flowing through the strait, while Iran has claimed to have shut it to traffic. The United Nations has urged both sides to exercise restraint and continue negotiations.

The United States has launched a sixth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, with US Central Command stating the aim is to "further degrade Iranian military capabilities." These attacks, occurring near the Strait of Hormuz, Bandar Abbas, and Bushehr, follow an exchange of strikes between the two nations. Iran's state media reported US missiles hit areas close to the Gulf island of Qeshm. The renewed hostilities have strained a preliminary deal to end the war, though the White House indicated President Trump remains open to diplomacy while holding Iran accountable for actions in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz remains shut, having been blocked by Tehran in response to US-Israeli strikes.

The United States conducted new strikes against Iran on Wednesday, targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command stated the strikes began at 1900 GMT. President Donald Trump warned that attacks could expand if Iran does not return to negotiations. Additionally, the US military reported that an aircraft fired on and disabled an empty oil tanker attempting to bypass a naval blockade of Iran's ports. These actions aim to reduce Iran's capacity to disrupt maritime transit in the crucial waterway.

Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan, have activated air defense systems following renewed Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting U.S. military installations. These attacks, which Iran claims hit specific facilities, occur amidst a fragile memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. aimed at halting a conflict that began in February. The renewed escalation, partly focused on the Strait of Hormuz, highlights a security dilemma for Gulf states: their U.S. military presence makes them targets, yet U.S. protection is crucial against Iranian threats. Gulf nations have invested heavily in layered air defense networks, but the sustained pressure from Iran's cheaper drones raises questions about their ability to withstand prolonged confrontations.

Iran has accused the United States of violating a peace agreement after US military strikes targeted sites around the Strait of Hormuz. The US stated these strikes were a response to Iran's attacks on three commercial vessels in the strait on Tuesday. The US also revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iran's oil exports, which Iran cited as a breach of the agreement. Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm island and in the cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas. Iran's foreign ministry warned of "decisive measures" in response to what it called repeated US violations of a memorandum of understanding signed last month, which began 60 days of negotiations. The US described Iran's actions as "unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire."

Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased due to renewed fighting between the United States and Iran. Since Tuesday, no large vessels have been broadcasting their location via the US-coordinated route, and traceable crossings have "effectively ground to a halt." This decline in traffic, from approximately 130 daily transits before the conflict to just five on Wednesday, reflects a cautious posture by shipping lines amid an elevated threat environment. Iran has reported explosions following US strikes on its targets, while Iranian officials claim to have struck US military assets in retaliation for attacks on vessels in the Strait. Despite this turmoil, Brent crude oil prices have remained largely steady, though analysts anticipate upward pressure on prices as inventories dwindle.

The US military conducted strikes against Iranian targets early Wednesday following the reported attacks on three merchant ships off Oman. US Central Command stated the strikes were intended to impose costs for targeting civilian commercial shipping in an international waterway, deeming Iran's actions unwarranted and a violation of a ceasefire. The incidents occurred on Tuesday, with three tankers, including a Qatari LNG vessel and a Saudi crude tanker, being struck in the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime authorities raised the threat level to "severe" for vessels in the area. Initial indications from a US official suggested Iran fired at two commercial vessels, though no immediate claim of responsibility was made.

The United States conducted new strikes on Iran on Wednesday in response to Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump ordered the retaliation, stating his expectation for the military escalation to conclude swiftly and indicating a willingness for further discussions. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strikes were aimed at diminishing Iran's capacity to jeopardize freedom of navigation in the strait, a vital waterway for global energy transport. The article does not provide further details on the specific nature or targets of these strikes.

Oil prices surged as renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran impacted the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose above $76 a barrel for the first time in two weeks after the US launched strikes on Iran and revoked a temporary waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil. This action followed attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which US, Qatari, and Saudi officials blamed on Iran. US Central Command stated the strikes were to impose costs for targeting commercial shipping. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister described the sanctions waiver revocation as a violation of a previous memorandum of understanding and warned of decisive actions to safeguard national interests.