The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil, became a conflict zone over the last weekend of June 2026. Missiles and drones targeted cargo ships, nearly ending a fragile peace agreement between the United States and Iran. The nations eventually agreed to a temporary halt in fighting.
The violence began on Thursday, June 25, when Iran used an unmanned aircraft against the cargo ship Ever Lovely. The next day, American forces responded by destroying Iranian radar and drone storage sites. By Sunday, the conflict had grown. Iran attacked the oil tanker Kiku, and the US military struck ten Iranian military locations. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps then fired missiles and drones at US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Both Bahrain and Kuwait condemned the attacks.
Just as the situation worsened, both sides agreed to stop military actions to preserve their peace deal. A US official stated that "kinetic activity" would cease, allowing commercial ships safe passage during technical discussions.
However, the pause has not brought diplomatic clarity. On June 29, US President Donald Trump announced on social media that Iran had requested a meeting in Doha, Qatar, the next day. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would attend. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, publicly denied that any such discussions were scheduled.
Conflicting statements also emerged regarding frozen assets. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed six billion dollars would be released, but US representatives denied any money had moved. The Qatari government remained silent.
These disagreements threaten the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a peace framework mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. The agreement requires Iran to allow ships passage and the US to lift its naval blockade and remove penalties on Iranian oil exports. Direct communication channels were established to prevent accidental clashes, but tensions remain high. The US Navy's expansion of a maritime corridor near Oman was seen by Iran as a challenge. The Revolutionary Guard Corps warned of consequences for vessels deviating from approved lanes.
For now, oil tankers continue their journeys. While the missiles have stopped, the core disputes are unresolved. President Trump warned that if the conflict resumes, Iran will "no longer exist." Leavitt added, "As far as we're concerned, we're holding up our end of the ceasefire. Violence will be met with violence."