Iran Refuses to Implement Deal Without US Compliance Amid Gulf Tensions
Following another night of escalating tensions in the Gulf, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai stated on Monday that Iran will not fulfill its commitments under the memorandum of understanding with the United States as long as the US fails to meet its obligations. He added that Iran is attempting to establish a joint mechanism with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, but American pressure on Oman has thwarted these efforts.
The escalation continues with the US military conducting extensive strikes across Iran overnight. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the completion of another wave of attacks targeting missile and drone sites, coastal radar installations, and small boats. A US official told The New York Times that dozens of strikes were carried out, fewer than the 140 strikes conducted on Saturday, and claimed the strait remains open to shipping.
Shortly after, Iran launched attacks on American targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. The Jordanian military reported intercepting four missiles entering its airspace from Iran, while Kuwait dealt with hostile aerial targets. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed to have hit the US base "Sheikh Isa" in Bahrain as part of the second phase of their retaliatory operation.
Yesterday, the US military executed its largest wave of strikes on Iran since the ceasefire, while Iran expanded its attacks to Qatar and Oman but has yet to respond with fire against Saudi Arabia, the UAE, or Israel. Israeli security forces remain vigilant, with the air force on alert but not raising its readiness level.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview with NBC, commented on US-Iran negotiations, saying President Trump "wants to exhaust the possibility of reaching an agreement but is not afraid to use force when the Iranians violate their commitments." Netanyahu expressed gratitude for the US joining efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which he said threatened both Israel and the US.
Additionally, after reports over the weekend in The Wall Street Journal that Israel recently shared intelligence with the US about an Iranian plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, new details emerged. Senior sources told Channel 13 News that the intelligence, including a quote from an Iranian official saying, "This is our opportunity, there will be no better chance," referring to Trump's visit to Turkey, was immediately passed to the US. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Herzog confirmed the reports in a Fox News interview. The White House did not comment but noted Trump himself stated this week that "they want to kill the US leader, me. I'm on their list. I saw it this morning. Maybe I've had some luck so far, but it's uncertain if it will continue."
