The Middle East powder keg has erupted again, just three days before truce talks are set to resume. The United States carried out its largest airstrikes since last month's agreement in retaliation for Iran's tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, while simultaneously revoking a waiver allowing Iranian oil exports, pushing the interim peace accord that took weeks to craft to the brink. With concerns over surging oil prices added to the mix, tensions are escalating rapidly.
The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that the Trump administration responded forcefully to the attacks on vessels near the strait, striking multiple facilities along Iran's coast and cutting off oil sales. The WSJ analyzed that "these two measures could scuttle the interim peace accord reached 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 fired at least two missiles at an LNG carrier passing through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Qatari government and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), three vessels were attacked near the strait since the previous day, including one Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier and two tankers. The US Central Command in a statement that day defined Iran's attacks on the vessels as "unjustified, dangerous and a clear violation of the ceasefire." The US then struck air defense networks, coastal surveillance facilities, anti-ship cruise missile bases, drone launch bases and port facilities. The strikes were four to five times broader than other attacks carried out since the truce agreement was signed last month.
At the same time, the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said it would cancel the 60-day temporary general license issued on the 21st of last month to permit the production, delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil. OFAC explained that transactions in Iranian crude would be phased out 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 US Central Command said the airstrikes were intended to impose a "tremendous price" for attacks on commercial vessels in an international strait.
Iran's Foreign Ministry warned of retaliation, saying the US had violated the memorandum of understanding. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, said on X (formerly Twitter) that "the US revocation of the waiver permitting Iran's oil sales is a 'clear' violation of Article 10 of the memorandum of understanding," adding that Iran "will take resolute measures to defend national interests and security."
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE Condemn Iran in Unison; GCC Calls It "Criminal Act"
Iran's attacks on the strait drew condemnation from Gulf states. Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain defined Iran's tanker attacks as a threat to international shipping routes, energy supplies and regional stability. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said it "strongly demands that Iran immediately cease all actions that threaten regional security, international navigation and the safety of energy supplies," adding that Iran "must bear full responsibility for this attack and all its repercussions."
Qatar's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's deputy ambassador to urge an end to the provocations, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Ministry also issued a statement of condemnation. Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), also condemned the move, calling it a criminal act by Iran.
Iran, for its part, expressed bewilderment. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said the Gulf states' condemnation was incomprehensible and warned that vessels using uncoordinated routes could face danger. Baghaei said "commercial ships that use routes not coordinated with Iran or manipulate vessel tracking systems create risks and hinder Iran's efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait," adding that Iran was faithfully fulfilling the MOU commitments necessary to manage the strait. He also urged regional countries and shipping companies to refrain from actions that violate the memorandum's provisions.
