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Just three days before the resumption of cease-fire negotiations, the Middle East powder keg has ignited once again. The United States carried out its largest airstrikes since the agreement was signed last month in retaliation for Iran's attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, while simultaneously abruptly revoking waivers on Iranian crude oil exports — pushing the weeks of painstakingly crafted interim peace deal to the brink. With fears of a surge in oil prices added to the mix, tensions are escalating rapidly.
On the 7th (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the Trump administration responded forcefully to the attacks on vessels near the strait, striking multiple facilities along the Iranian coast and cutting off oil sales. The U.S. Central Command said it had completed a new retaliatory attack that day, striking more than 80 targets. According to the statement, "U.S. forces attacked Iran's air defense systems, command-and-control networks, and more than 60 Iranian Revolutionary Guard small vessels in and around the strait, degrading Iran's ability to attack," adding that "the unjustified attacks by Iranian forces are a clear and dangerous violation of the cease-fire agreement."
The WSJ analyzed that "these two measures are likely to derail the interim peace agreement forged after weeks of negotiations and drive up oil prices," describing it as "the most serious escalation since the strait MOU was signed on the 17th of last month."
Earlier, Iran had fired at least two missiles at an LNG carrier passing through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Qatari government and the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a total of three vessels — one Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier and two tankers — were attacked near the strait beginning the previous day. In its statement that day, the U.S. Central Command characterized Iran's attacks on the vessels as "unjustified, dangerous, and a clear violation of the cease-fire." The United States then struck air defenses, coastal surveillance facilities, anti-ship cruise missile bases, drone launch sites, and port facilities. The strikes were four to five times more extensive than other attacks carried out since the cease-fire agreement was signed last month.
At the same time, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said it was revoking the 60-day temporary general license issued on the 21st of last month permitting the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian crude oil. OFAC explained that transactions in Iranian crude would be wound down and permitted only until the 17th. It also stressed that all payments made to sanctioned parties must be deposited into frozen accounts within the United States. The U.S. Central Command said "these airstrikes are intended to impose a 'massive cost' for the attacks on merchant vessels in an international strait."
Iran's Foreign Ministry warned of retaliation, saying the United States had violated the memorandum of understanding. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on X (formerly Twitter) that "the U.S. revocation of the waiver permitting Iran's oil sales is a 'clear' violation of Article 10 of the memorandum of understanding," adding that "we will take resolute measures to defend our national interests and security."
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE All Condemn Iran… GCC Calls It "Criminal Acts"
Iran's attacks on the strait drew criticism from Gulf states as well. Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain characterized Iran's tanker attacks as a threat to international shipping lanes, energy supplies, and regional stability. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said, "We strongly demand that Iran immediately cease all acts that threaten regional security, international navigation, and the safety of energy supplies," adding that "Iran must bear full responsibility for these attacks and all their consequences."
Qatar's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's deputy ambassador and urged an end to the provocations, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Ministry also issued a statement of condemnation. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi likewise joined the criticism, calling Iran's actions criminal.
In response, Iran expressed bewilderment. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the Gulf states' criticism was incomprehensible and warned that vessels using unagreed-upon routes could face danger. Baghaei said, "Merchant vessels that use routes not coordinated with Iran or manipulate ship-tracking systems create hazards and hinder Iran's efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait," adding that Iran was faithfully fulfilling the MOU commitments necessary for managing the strait. He urged regional countries and shipping companies to refrain from actions that violate the provisions of the memorandum of understanding.
