US and Iran exchange fire in Strait of Hormuz, threatening fragile interim peace deal

The fragile interim peace deal between the US and Iran has collapsed after the fiercest exchange of military fire since the June 14 agreement. Following Iranian attacks on three commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, US forces struck up to 90 targets in Iran, killing at least 14 people. Iran retaliated by targeting US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. While President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire over, both nations have agreed to continue back-channel negotiations mediated by Qatar.

US-Iran Strait of Hormuz strikes

• ▪Iran retaliated against United States airstrikes by launching missiles and drones targeting United States military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
• ▪United States Central Command launched airstrikes hitting 80 to 90 targets across Iran in response to attacks on commercial vessels.
• ▪United States airstrikes in Iran killed at least 14 people and wounded 78 others, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.

Trump assassination threat from Iran

• ▪Israel shared intelligence with the United States regarding a fresh Iranian plot targeting Donald Trump for assassination.
• ▪Donald Trump stated he left instructions to bomb Iran at unprecedented levels if the Iranian government succeeds in assassinating him.

Ceasefire collapse negotiation restart

• ▪The United States Treasury Department revoked a temporary sanctions waiver that had previously allowed Iran to export its oil.
• ▪Donald Trump declared that the June 17 ceasefire with Iran is over but agreed to continue diplomatic negotiations.

Republican CNN debate Iran war

• ▪Caroline Sunshine publicly opposed United States military action against Iran, leading to a sharp exchange with Scott Jennings on CNN.
• ▪CNN commentator Scott Jennings and former Trump aide Caroline Sunshine clashed on-air over United States military action and historical relations with Iran.

Strait of Hormuz shipping disruption

• ▪Iran attacked three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including the Marshallese-flagged al Rekayyat, Saudi-flagged Wedyan, and Liberian-flagged Cyprus Prosperity.
• ▪Daily commercial tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed significantly following the renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran.

Qatari mediation efforts in Iran

• ▪Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani appealed to both nations to uphold their commitments during a call with Egypt's foreign minister.
• ▪A Qatari diplomatic delegation visited Iran to de-escalate military tensions and establish conditions for broader negotiations in Qatar or Pakistan.

6 sources