The U.S. claims it targeted hundreds of Iranian sites after attacks on ships, while Tehran reports it has once again shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also launched attacks on U.S. facilities across Gulf nations.
On Sunday, there was intense exchanging of missile and drone assaults between U.S. and Iranian forces, with Tehran targeting U.S. installations in multiple Gulf countries and announcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This surge in violence raises questions about the viability of the temporary U.S.-Iranian agreement signed last month, which aimed to reopen the strait and halt the ongoing conflict after another 60 days of negotiations.
Iran’s military strikes extended to Qatar, a mediator in ongoing ceasefire talks, which had previously been untouched since April. The United Arab Emirates, which had been out of reach since early May, stated that its air defenses intercepted missiles and drones originating from Iran.
According to the U.S. Central Command, strikes launched on Sunday evening were part of an effort to diminish Iran’s capacity to attack maritime traffic and commercial vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. military officials reported downing an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone.
President Donald Trump briefly commented on the weekend’s developments, telling Reuters, “We’re beating them up.”
Iranian media reported missile strikes and explosions near the port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas, which host military facilities along the strait, as well as on nearby Qeshm Island. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned what it called aggressive U.S. actions over the weekend and accused the U.S. of applying excessive pressure on Oman, which hosted talks on managing the strait and transit routes in Muscat on Saturday—they were unable to reach an agreement.
In recent days, Trump has declared the ceasefire over but remains open to future talks. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The era of one-sided deals is over. Keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.”
The conflict, initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran on February 28, has destabilized the Gulf region, with Iran striking U.S.-aligned countries. Its blockade of the Strait has caused energy prices to rise globally, fueling inflation. This leads to political sensitivity in the U.S., especially with the upcoming November congressional elections, due to rising fuel costs.
Iran aims to establish a system for collecting tolls in the Strait, which historically carried about 20% of world oil and natural gas shipments prior to the conflict. The country has warned vessels to avoid sailing without Iran’s permission.
Late Saturday, Iran claimed to have closed the waterway after firing a warning shot that hit an unpermitted vessel. On Sunday, it announced disabling a second ship. India reported one of its nationals missing following an attack on the container ship GFS Galaxy off Oman’s coast, with Oman rescuing 23 crew members. Qatar advised all vessels, including leisure and fishing boats, to suspend operations.
Iran’s newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority stated that passage through the strait is currently impossible due to “recent illegal movements” by U.S. military forces. Permits will be issued once stability is restored.
Despite revoking licenses for Iranian crude sales after previous shipping attacks, the U.S. insists its forces are positioned to protect navigation rights and continue to challenge Iran’s provocations.
The U.S. Navy’s Joint Maritime Information Center confirmed that, despite heightened threats, alternative routes near Oman remain open for traffic in both directions.
On Saturday, U.S. Central Command reported striking 140 Iranian military targets, with over 300 targets hit during the week to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards retaliated by destroying a U.S.-linked command center and drone hangars in Jordan, targeting U.S. radar and missile systems in Kuwait, and attacking assets in Oman and Qatar.
Qatar, which has previously refused to mediate while under attack, reported injuries from shrapnel and held Iran responsible for the attack. The UAE detected threats outside its borders, Bahrain intercepted multiple Iranian aerial assaults, Jordan reported missile strikes, and Oman was targeted with drones. Kuwait’s military later reported damage from strikes, including an injury on an oil platform worker.
Oman summoned Iran’s ambassador to protest drone attacks, while the U.S. embassy in Oman advised Americans in Duqm and Musandam to remain in shelter.