US-Iran interim agreement enters crisis as fighting intensifies
The sharp escalation followed additional US strikes, prompting Iran to launch heavy missile and drone attacks against US military positions across the Gulf, affecting six regional countries
Highlights:
- Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US bases across six Gulf countries
- Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again, disrupting a key global oil route
- The 14-point agreement to halt hostilities is now in doubt
- Iran says it will no longer comply, accusing the US of breaching the deal
- Oman-mediated negotiations on managing the Strait ended without a deal
- Iran blamed US pressure for the collapse of the Muscat talks
- Brent crude rose 4.3% to $79.31 per barrel after the renewed closure
- Iran warned neighbouring countries against supporting US military operations
The interim agreement between Iran and the United States, signed last month to halt hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, has entered what officials describe as a "crisis stage" after renewed military exchanges, the collapse of diplomatic efforts and another closure of the strategic waterway.
The sharp escalation followed additional US strikes, prompting Iran to launch heavy missile and drone attacks against US military positions across the Gulf, affecting six regional countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Iran has also closed the Strait of Hormuz once again, threatening a key route for global oil supplies, says Reuters.
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The renewed fighting has placed the future of the 14-point interim agreement in doubt. The deal had been intended to reopen the Strait and create a 60-day window for peace negotiations between the two countries.
Iran said it would no longer comply with the agreement, arguing that the United States had failed to meet its own commitments under the deal. US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire was over but indicated he remained willing to continue negotiations.
Diplomatic efforts have also stalled. Talks in Muscat between Iranian and Omani officials aimed at establishing a joint mechanism to manage the Strait of Hormuz ended without an agreement.
Iran blamed the failure on what it described as "overt and covert" US pressure on Oman. While US officials said Iran had sought additional negotiations, Tehran said it had agreed only to host a Qatari mediator.
The renewed conflict has rattled energy markets, with Brent crude rising 4.3% to $79.31 a barrel as investors weighed the impact of another closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world's seaborne oil trade passes.
Higher oil prices could also present a political challenge for the Trump administration ahead of November's congressional elections.
Iran said its military operations were directed solely at US facilities and warned neighbouring countries against allowing their territory to be used for American attacks against Iran.
