Trump Declares Iran Peace Deal 'Over' as U.S. Launches Retaliatory Strikes in Hormuz Strait

The United States military launched a series of powerful air strikes against Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) maritime assets early Wednesday. The operation targeted locations in Sirik, Qeshm, and Bandar Abbas in response to Iranian attacks on Saudi, Qatari, and U.S.-flagged commercial vessels. Speaking from the NATO summit in Ankara, President Donald Trump declared that the 60-day memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tehran—which had previously facilitated a pause in regional fighting—is now finished, citing Iran's continued aggression in the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation has triggered immediate military responses across the region. Iran launched retaliatory strikes against U.S. military assets in Bahrain and Kuwait, prompting emergency sirens in both nations. Simultaneously, the Trump administration has reimposed strict oil sanctions, revoking prior waivers as of July 7. While global oil markets have seen a slight surge in prices, the primary concern for international observers remains the stability of the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor responsible for 20% of the world's oil flow. Diplomatically, the rift between Washington and Tehran has widened. President Trump characterized Iranian leadership as 'cruel and brutal,' expressing skepticism toward future negotiations while still allowing U.S. diplomats to maintain limited back-channel communication. In Ankara, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte backed the American military action, labeling the strikes 'absolutely necessary.' However, Gulf allies remain wary of a full-scale regional war that could lead to widespread economic disruption and humanitarian crises.