Wars 2026 02/28 Israel-Iran War 3.0

[Saif]

https://www.newagebd.net/post/middle-east/305828/iran-says-hormuz-closed-us-claims-traffic-flows

Iran says Hormuz closed, US claims traffic flows
Tehran strikes 6 Gulf countries after US attacks Arabs& Middle Easterners

Agence France-Presse . Tehran, Iran 12 July, 2026, 06:56

A ship sails off the coast of Ajman on July 10, 2026. | AFP photo

Iran said the Strait of Hormuz was closed on Sunday while the United States insisted it remained open, after the confrontation over the vital waterway again sparked US and Iranian strikes.

The strait, essential to global oil and gas supplies, has become a central point of contention between the two foes, repeatedly leading to exchanges of fire despite an agreement aimed at ending the Middle East war that was struck last month.

The latest exchange was prompted by another Iranian attack on a commercial ship in the waterway whose crew was forced to abandon it after it went up in flames.

Before the war began with surprise US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, there was free passage through Hormuz, but Tehran now insists that it will control the strait, while Washington is adamant it cannot.

‘Following this incident... the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice and until the end of American interventions in this region,’ Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Sunday, according to state news agency IRNA.

The US military’s Central Command countered on X that the strait was ‘open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway’.

It said US forces were ‘positioned and prepared to ensure’ freedom of navigation, adding: ‘Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing.’

Control of the waterway has become key leverage for Iran, with an adviser to the country’s supreme leader on Sunday saying it was more important than ‘dozens of atomic bombs’.

Iran said it had targeted two ships in Hormuz, accusing them of ignoring instructions to use an approved transit corridor or ‘violating regulations’, IRNA said.

The attacks prompted a barrage of US strikes across Iran in response, with the US military saying it had hit about 140 targets in its third round of attacks this week.

Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Jask and on Qeshm Island, as well as in Khuzestan province, with one soldier reported killed in the southern city of Jask.

US president Donald Trump told CNN that ‘we hit them very hard last night’, and said the Iranian attack had come despite the two sides being close to a deal on Saturday.

‘They were giving up everything, and then all of a sudden two hours after that they hit a ship with a drone,’ he said

Iran’s response to the US strikes came quickly, with sirens and explosions heard in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, AFP journalists and local authorities reported.

Qatar said three people were injured by Iranian attacks, while the UAE issued a warning for incoming missiles but later said they did not enter its territory.

Kuwait also said it was working to intercept an attack, and Jordan said three Iranian missiles fell inside the kingdom.

Iran’s Guards said they also hit Oman, which has rarely been targeted.

They claimed to have destroyed ‘the logistical support centres for naval vessels and the refuelling facilities for US aircraft carriers at the port of Duqm’.

Muscat summoned the Iranian ambassador and handed him a formal protest—a rare move for the sultanate, which has been attempting to balance competing demands from Washington and Tehran.

The attack came just hours after the country hosted Iran’s foreign minister to discuss the Strait of Hormuz.

Sunday’s attack on a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the waterway left one Indian sailor missing, New Delhi said.

Muscat, meanwhile, said it had rescued 23 crew members from a commercial ship.

Iran said it had fired ‘warning shots’, but the US military accused Tehran of ‘blatantly’ attacking the vessel.

The crew abandoned ship and were on a lifeboat, British maritime agency UKMTO reported, around 17 kilometres east of Oman.

Separate Iranian strikes on ships in Hormuz had triggered fighting earlier this week, along with heated rhetoric.

Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed revenge for the killing of his father and predecessor on the first day of the war, and said Iran had compiled a list of individuals to be targeted.

Trump on Saturday said any attempt to assassinate him would lead the United States to ‘completely decimate’ Iran.

He has declared the ceasefire over while leaving the door open for talks, and mediators have been trying to salvage a diplomatic solution.

The top diplomat for Pakistan, which has been mediating, called for ‘de-escalation’ on Sunday during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Islamabad said.

‘Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving disputes and achieving lasting peace,’ said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.​

 

[Saif]

US, Iran must act responsibly

Just when the world had begun to breathe a sigh of relief, the spectre of another devastating conflict has returned. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the United States and Iran to halt hostilities had raised hopes that diplomacy had finally prevailed over military confrontation. Nego

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

US, Iran must act responsibly

Photo: Reuters/Files

Just when the world had begun to breathe a sigh of relief, the spectre of another devastating conflict has returned. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the United States and Iran to halt hostilities had raised hopes that diplomacy had finally prevailed over military confrontation. Negotiators from both sides were reportedly working towards a permanent agreement, financial markets responded positively, and oil prices began to retreat from their wartime highs. For a brief moment, the world believed that one of the most dangerous flashpoints in modern geopolitics might finally be cooling.

Those hopes have been shattered.

The renewed exchange of attacks last week has once again pushed the Middle East to the brink of a wider regional war. Beyond the immediate military implications, the latest escalation has reignited fears of a global economic slowdown, higher inflation and another humanitarian catastrophe. It serves as a stark reminder that in today's interconnected world, no conflict remains confined within national borders. A war between the US and Iran inevitably becomes the world's problem.

The most immediate casualty of renewed hostilities has been confidence in the global economy. During the height of the conflict, Brent crude oil prices surged dramatically, climbing from around $67 a barrel to nearly $113, as investors feared disruptions to supplies from the Gulf. Although prices began to ease after the ceasefire understanding was announced, they rose sharply again following the latest military exchanges, with Brent crude gaining nearly 5 per cent in a single trading session amid renewed concerns over regional stability. The sharp swings in energy markets underscore how vulnerable the global economy remains to geopolitical shocks.

The reason is simple. Nearly one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway separating Iran from the Arabian Peninsula. Even the possibility that military action could disrupt shipping through this strategic passage is enough to send global oil prices soaring. Energy traders do not wait for supply disruptions to occur; they react to the risk itself. As a result, every missile launched and every military threat exchanged between Washington and Tehran reverberates through international markets within hours.

Higher oil prices are not merely an inconvenience for motorists. They affect almost every aspect of modern life. Fuel powers transportation, manufacturing, agriculture and electricity generation. When crude prices rise sharply, the cost of moving goods increases, airlines raise fares, shipping companies impose higher freight charges and factories face higher production costs. Those additional expenses are eventually passed on to consumers in the form of more expensive food, medicines, clothing and other essential commodities.

The consequences are particularly severe for developing economies. Countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and many African nations depend heavily on imported fuel while already struggling with inflation, foreign exchange shortages and mounting debt. Every increase in global oil prices widens trade deficits, puts pressure on national currencies and forces governments either to subsidise fuel at enormous fiscal cost or allow domestic prices to rise, further burdening ordinary citizens.

Bangladesh offers a telling example. As a net importer of petroleum products, the country remains highly vulnerable to volatility in global energy markets. Rising fuel prices increase transportation costs, raise electricity generation expenses and ultimately make food and essential goods more expensive. Export-oriented industries also face higher operating costs, reducing their competitiveness at a time when global demand is already slowing. What appears to be a distant geopolitical conflict therefore has direct consequences for millions of Bangladeshi households.

Wars invariably inflict their greatest suffering on civilians. Military targets may dominate headlines, but it is ordinary people who pay the highest price. Homes are destroyed, hospitals become overwhelmed, schools close, businesses collapse and families are displaced. Children lose access to education. Medical supplies become scarce. Entire communities live under the constant threat of airstrikes and missile attacks.

History offers painful reminders that wars are rarely as short or as limited as leaders initially anticipate. Once military retaliation begins, escalation often develops its own momentum. Miscalculations occur. Alliances become activated. Proxy groups enter the conflict. Diplomatic space narrows as public opinion hardens on both sides.

Neither the United States nor Iran can afford such an outcome.

The United States remains the world's most powerful military force, but decades of involvement in the Middle East have demonstrated that military superiority alone cannot deliver lasting peace. From Iraq to Afghanistan, overwhelming firepower has often failed to resolve complex political disputes. Sustainable peace requires diplomacy, compromise and long-term political engagement rather than perpetual military confrontation.

Iran, meanwhile, has shown remarkable resilience despite years of sanctions and economic isolation. Yet resilience does not eliminate vulnerability. Continued conflict further weakens its economy, discourages foreign investment, reduces employment opportunities and deepens the hardship already experienced by millions of ordinary Iranians. The country's long-term development cannot be secured through endless confrontation.

The international community also has much at stake.

The recently signed MoU demonstrated that dialogue remains possible despite profound differences. It represented an important acknowledgment by both sides that military confrontation cannot provide a sustainable solution. That diplomatic foundation should not be abandoned because of renewed tensions. Instead, it should be strengthened through continuous negotiations, confidence-building measures and credible mechanisms to prevent future military incidents.

Compromise will inevitably be required.

Neither Washington nor Tehran is likely to achieve every objective it seeks. That is the nature of diplomacy. Successful negotiations are rarely about absolute victories. They are about finding practical solutions that serve the broader interests of peace and stability.

The United States may need to recognise that long-term regional security cannot be achieved solely through military pressure or economic sanctions. Iran, for its part, must reassure the international community that its regional activities will contribute to stability rather than further escalation. Both governments should place the welfare of their citizens above political symbolism or strategic posturing.

Responsible leadership is not demonstrated by refusing to make concessions. It is demonstrated by possessing the courage to pursue peace even when compromise carries domestic political costs.

The United Nations, regional powers and influential international partners must also intensify diplomatic efforts. They should encourage sustained negotiations rather than merely reacting after violence has erupted. Preventive diplomacy is invariably less costly than post-conflict reconstruction.

Time is running short.

Every additional day of military confrontation increases the possibility of a catastrophic miscalculation. A single mistake, an unintended strike or an escalation involving regional allies could rapidly transform a bilateral conflict into a broader regional war with unpredictable global consequences. Once such a conflict expands, diplomatic options become significantly more difficult.

The stakes extend far beyond Washington and Tehran. Billions of people depend upon stable energy markets, secure international shipping lanes and a peaceful Middle East. Farmers, factory workers, transport operators, exporters, students and families across the world all bear the economic consequences of decisions made thousands of miles away.

The world has witnessed enough destruction. It has seen too many conflicts that promised swift victories but instead produced decades of instability, displacement and economic hardship. Humanity cannot afford another avoidable war.

This is not the time for ego, political grandstanding or displays of military strength. It is a moment that demands wisdom, restraint and statesmanship. The United States and Iran must return to meaningful negotiations with sincerity and urgency. They should honour the spirit of the understanding they had already reached and demonstrate that diplomacy remains stronger than warfare.

Peace may require difficult compromises from both sides. But compromise is not a sign of weakness; it is the highest expression of responsible leadership. If Washington and Tehran truly seek security and prosperity for their peoples, they must choose dialogue over destruction.

Millions of lives -- and the stability of the global economy -- depend on that choice.​

 

[Saif]

Iran hacked Middle East mobile networks to track US personnel: Financial Times

Iran has hacked mobile networks throughout the Middle East to track the locations of US personnel and contractors throughout the war, London’s Financial Times (FT) newspaper reports, citing telecommunications data from the Mobile Surveillance Monitor research project and quoting people famili

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Iran hacked Middle East mobile networks to track US personnel: Financial Times

Iran has hacked mobile networks throughout the Middle East to track the locations of US personnel and contractors throughout the war, London’s Financial Times (FT) newspaper reports, citing telecommunications data from the Mobile Surveillance Monitor research project and quoting people familiar with the matter.

US lawmakers were alarmed by the information, the newspaper said, as they warned that roaming systems and smartphone advertising technology have left the military vulnerable to attack.

Officials in the Gulf suspected Iran or its allies of exploiting roaming agreements with local phone providers to try to locate US personnel, one person familiar with the matter told the FT.

A US official speaking on the condition of anonymity told the newspaper that actors linked to Iran had abused commercially available advertising databases to track phones in northern Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region.

“Iran absolutely has capabilities to get real-time, immediate and continuous location information,” Gary Miller, a senior research fellow at the cybersecurity watchdog Citizen Lab who reviewed the data, was quoted as saying by the FT.

“It would surprise me very much if Iran were not using SS7, or mobile network access in the region, to track US users.”​

 

[Saif]

https://www.newagebd.net/post/middle-east/306200/us-expands-sanctions-targeting-oil-sector-of-iran

US expands sanctions targeting oil sector of Iran
Agence France-Presse . Washington, United States 15 July, 2026, 06:05

Trucks wait to enter the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in Sharjah Emirate, along the Gulf of Oman on July 14, 2026. | AFP photo

The United States on Tuesday expanded its sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector, taking further aim at the network of petroleum shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, said the Treasury Department.

The move came after US forces carried out a fourth straight day of strikes against Iran and reimposed a naval blockade, with Iran in turn hitting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the International Maritime Organization.

Iran started blocking the strait -- a key waterway for energy transit -- after US-Israel attacks in February. After which, Washington imposed an initial blockade on Tehran's ports from mid-April to mid-June.

'This action is part of Treasury's ongoing efforts to ramp up economic pressure on the Iranian regime after it resumed destabilizing attacks in the Strait of Hormuz,' the Treasury Department said in a notice Tuesday.

It charged that the Shamkhani network remains a key force behind Iran's oil exports, and has expanded into global commodities trading.

The latest move took aim at more than 50 individuals, entities and vessels that it said enabled Iranian authorities to reap profit.

The Treasury Department added that it has now imposed sanctions on over 200 individuals, entities and vessels operating under Shamkhani's patronage.

Shamkhani is the son of security official Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Both were killed February 28, the first day of US-Israeli attacks and the start of the Middle East war.​