ايران - مضيق هرمز
Where things stand
The Strait of Hormuz remains the focal point of the confrontation between Tehran and Washington: on Sunday 18 October, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait would reopen on "the sixth day" and that negotiations would resume on "the seventh day," conditional on Washington meeting Iran's conditions, without clarifying in the available text what those conditions are or when the countdown begins. In response, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iran's attempts to close the Strait had "failed," and that it had redirected 138 commercial vessels as part of the blockade imposed on Iran. Politically, media reported US President Donald Trump as saying that operations related to Iran would end "very soon" and that Washington would not attack before the 3 November midterm elections, while repeating threats to strike the "Pickaxe Mountain" facility; Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei meanwhile raised the level of threats, speaking of a response "far more destructive" than the two previous wars. Amid a mutual distrust obstructing negotiations, Qatari and Omani mediation continues with open Gulf support, and the coming days are expected to show whether the reopening of the Strait and the resumption of talks will actually be implemented.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (18 October): the Strait of Hormuz will reopen on "the sixth day" and negotiations will resume on "the seventh day" if Washington complies with Iran's conditions.
- CENTCOM: Iran's attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz "failed," with 138 commercial vessels redirected as part of the blockade imposed on Iran.
- US President Donald Trump: operations related to Iran will end "very soon" and gasoline prices will then fall; no attack before the 3 November midterms, while repeating threats to strike "Pickaxe Mountain."
- Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council: the new Iranian response will be "far more destructive" than the 12-day and 40-day wars, without disclosing details.
- Iran's parliament approves the appointment of Mehrdad Akhlaghi Kataloji as defense minister, ending a vacancy since the previous minister was killed in strikes in late February; Britain's Maritime Trade Operations says a tug was hit by two projectiles of unknown origin northeast of Khor Fakkan, causing minor injury and damage.
Background
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman through which about one-fifth of global oil supplies pass, making it one of the world's most important strategic chokepoints. The current escalation is part of a broader confrontation between Iran and the United States and Israel whose military operations began on 28 February and officially ended on 5 May according to Pentagon data, and which paralysed shipping through the strait and had repercussions on energy markets. The tension is also linked to Iran's nuclear programme file and to US economic pressure on Iranian aviation and banks, amid mediation efforts by Qatar, Pakistan and other countries. The issue matters because any closure or disruption of the strait threatens global energy security and the economies of Gulf states, which explains the multiplicity of international initiatives, including the Russian initiative and the French draft resolution.
Timeline
- 18 Oct 2026
- 16:30 Araghchi: Strait of Hormuz to open on sixth day, negotiations to resume on seventh if Washington meets our conditions lebanon debate
- 14:47 Rezaei: Iran's new response will be "far more destructive" than the 12-day and 40-day wars Lebanon Debate
- 13:05 Netanyahu: If Iran is able to destroy Israel, it will control the Middle East Iran International
- 12:50 Iran Appoints New Defense Minister, Opening a New Military Phase Lebanon Debate
- 09:15 Iranian Bill Proposes Fixing Dollar Rate for Five Years Amid Inflation Near 90% Iran International
- 08:57 Araghchi Accuses US of Obstructing Diplomacy and Causing Maritime Insecurity Lebanon Debate
- 17 Oct 2026
- 23:15 Hegseth delivers a harsh warning to Iran: "A quick decision or destruction" Lebanon Debate
- 22:31 Diplomacy window with Iran may narrow as Trump again threatens 'Pickaxe Mountain' Al-Monitor
- 18:23 Iranian Officers at the Heart of the War on Saudi Arabia... What Did the US Investigation Reveal? Lebanon Debate
- 09:28 Collision with a sea mine… giant tanker burns in Hormuz lebanon debate
- 09:18 US military: Strait of Hormuz is open and the blockade on Iran continues سكاي نيوز عربية
- 07:56 White House: Trump suspends implementation of some provisions of Lindsey Graham law that impose sanctions on Russia and Iran lebanon debate
- 07:05 IRGC Navy: Strait of Hormuz is closed and the fate of ships violating Iranian laws is burning lebanon debate
- 16 Oct 2026
- 23:48 Israeli media: Intense security talks between Washington and Tel Aviv regarding Iran الجزيرة نت
- 17:32 Trump rules out sending US troops to Iran and keeps option of strike on Pickaxe Mountain open Al-Monitor
- 12:41 Netanyahu adviser: Israel 'very close' to creating conditions for changing the Iranian regime Elnashra
- 11:39 After reports of striking Iran with the 'Mother of All Bombs'... Qalibaf: We are ready for war lebanon debate
- 10:18 "They Will Not Pass Without Our Permission"... Iran Tightens Its Grip on Hormuz Lebanon Debate
- 09:20 Prison Sentences in Germany in a Espionage Case Directed by the Quds Force Lebanon Debate
- 15 Oct 2026
- 22:54 Live coverage - US Treasury Secretary: The ring of economic blockade is tightening on the Iranian regime Iran International
- 11:50 Escalation in Hormuz and Rising Supplies Push Oil Down by More Than a Dollar Lebanon Debate
- 14 Oct 2026
- 22:52 CENTCOM: We destroyed an Iranian ship that was targeting our naval vessels العربية
- 18:30 Iran executes a defendant accused of cooperating with Israel Attasiaa
- 17:52 When Trump Forgets the 444 Hostage Crisis... He Will Sign the Deal with Iran الجزيرة نت
- 15:16 Behind the delayed strike: Israel awaits Trump's green light to attack Iran إرم نيوز
- 13:24 From Media to Execution… One Post Turns the Life of an Iranian Student Lebanon Debate
- 12:07 Oman reveals interim understanding… Hormuz's fate linked to talks Lebanon Debate
- 10:31 Why Did That Large Offensive Force Retreat at Midnight? ترك برس
- 09:28 Unknown projectiles hit an oil tanker and a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz Lebanon Debate
- 07:31 Trump: We will teach Iran a harsh lesson; our patience with it has run out Lebanon Debate
Latest updates
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16:30Iran
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