The conflict erupted following U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, which prompted Iran to respond by targeting Israel and U.S. interests and allied forces in the Gulf.
In June, the United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, intending to pave the way for negotiations to resolve the crisis.
Earlier this week, three commercial tankers came under attack while traversing a U.S.-recommended corridor through Omani waters. Iran has consistently asserted that the only truly safe passage is via its own waters.
The attacks prompted retaliatory U.S. strikes that killed 17 people and injured 115, according to Iranian reports. In response, Iran struck U.S. allies across the Gulf.
The escalation heightened tensions and led former President Trump to declare that the ceasefire had collapsed.
Nevertheless, the U.S. administration affirmed that diplomatic efforts would persist, with mediators working to revive the stalled talks.
U.S. officials conveyed through intermediaries a demand that Iran publicly affirm that the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global shipping lane — remains open and commit to halting attacks on commercial vessels.
U.S. media reported that Iran informed American officials the tanker attacks were an error and attributed them to a rogue internal faction.
