ايران - مضيق هرمز
Where things stand
Despite the Pentagon's announcement about five months ago that military operations formally ended on 5 May, tensions remain high around the Strait of Hormuz, with a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and continued threats. On 18 October, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran does not intend to attack any country but will confront any attack forcefully, calling for domestic unity, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of obstructing diplomacy and causing maritime insecurity. The same day, the UK Maritime Trade Operations authority reported that a tug was hit by two projectiles of unknown origin northeast of Khorfakkan, causing minor injury and damage, amid reports that a tanker burned in Hormuz after hitting a naval mine. On 17-18 October, CENTCOM announced the redirection of 138 commercial vessels under the blockade and said Iran's attempts to close the Strait had failed, while US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned Tehran of a 'quick decision or destruction' and President Donald Trump said operations related to Iran would end 'very soon' and that Washington would not attack before the 3 November midterm elections. The diplomatic window is expected to remain narrow ahead of the US vote, with attention on the nuclear talks and any new incidents in the Strait.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on 18 October that Iran does not intend to attack any country but will confront any attack forcefully, stressing the importance of domestic unity.
- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi that the United States obstructed diplomacy and caused maritime insecurity, while the UK maritime trade authority reported a tug hit by two projectiles of unknown origin northeast of Khorfakkan.
- CENTCOM announced the redirection of 138 commercial vessels under the blockade on Iran and told Fox News that Iran's attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz had failed.
- US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned Iran of a 'quick decision or destruction,' while President Donald Trump said operations related to Iran would end 'very soon' and that Washington would not attack before the 3 November midterm elections.
- Reports spoke of an explosion in the Kuhistak area and parts of the city of Sirik in southern Iran, and of a giant tanker catching fire in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a naval mine (17 October).
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
- 14:47 Rezaei: Iran's new response will be "far more destructive" than the 12-day and 40-day wars Lebanon Debate
- 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
- 08:47 Iran War: Costing Threats on the Eve of Elections in Tel Aviv and Washington جريدة القدس
- 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
- 06:27 Iran escalates in Strait of Hormuz: a new strategy to raise oil prices جريدة القدس
Latest updates
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15:20Iran
Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Iran stress the importance of continued dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation
The Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Iran stressed the importance of continuing dialogue and diplomacy and working to reduce escalation, in a joint position reported via…
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14:47Iran
Rezaei: Iran's new response will be "far more destructive" than the 12-day and 40-day wars
The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, escalated Iranian threats against the United States and Israel, asserting that the Iranian armed…
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13:24Iran
GCC Secretary-General: We look forward to a Russian role in Iran's compliance with UN Security Council resolutions
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council expressed the Council's aspiration for a Russian role in urging Iran to comply with UN Security Council resolutions.
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12:50Iran
Iran Appoints New Defense Minister, Opening a New Military Phase
Iran's parliament approved the appointment of Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defense minister, ending months of vacancy at the ministry's head. The ministry had been run on…
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12:36Iran
Between Popular Discontent and External Threats: Pezeshkian Bets on Iranian Cohesion
A report published on the Lebanon Debate website examines Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's bet on Iranian cohesion amid what the headline describes as popular discon…
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12:20Iran
Iranian Foreign Minister: Our proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days still stands
The Iranian Foreign Minister affirmed that his country's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days still stands, without further details in the text.
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11:55Iran
GCC Secretary-General: Council states subjected to repeated Iranian attacks constituting a flagrant violation of sovereignty and a direct threat to security and stability
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council said that the Council's states have been subjected to repeated Iranian attacks, describing them as a flagrant violat…
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11:48Iran
Bahrain's Foreign Minister announces his country's support for Oman and Qatar's mediation efforts between America and Iran
Bahrain's Foreign Minister announced his country's support for Oman and Qatar's mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, in a public Gulf stance toward effor…
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11:37Iran
Trust gap obstructs negotiations between Iran and the United States
An Al Jazeera analysis argues that deep-rooted historical mistrust between Iran and the United States is obstructing negotiation initiatives, with Tehran demanding bindin…
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09:55Iran
Iranian President: We do not intend to attack any country, but we will confront any attack with force and will not allow enemies to covet our land
The Iranian President affirmed that Iran does not intend to attack any country, but will confront any attack with force and will not allow enemies to covet its land.
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09:15Iran
Iranian Bill Proposes Fixing Dollar Rate for Five Years Amid Inflation Near 90%
A report examined a 24-article bill placed on the parliament's comprehensive legislative agenda, pursued by Tehran MP Peyman Falsafi, proposing to convert Iran's exchange…
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09:02Iran
"A Final and Firm Commitment"... Vance Reveals What Washington Wants from Tehran
A report indicated that Vance revealed what Washington wants from Tehran, describing the demand as a "final and firm commitment," without the available text providing det…
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08:57Iran
Araghchi Accuses US of Obstructing Diplomacy and Causing Maritime Insecurity
Iran's Foreign Ministry said Sunday that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi informed Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi that the United States obstructed diplomacy and caused…
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08:57Iran
Rubio backs UK assessment and holds Iran responsible for the "Fairford" base incident
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio endorsed the British assessment holding Iran responsible for the attack on the "Fairford" military air base in Britain, stressing that W…
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08:47Iran
Iran War: Costing Threats on the Eve of Elections in Tel Aviv and Washington
Escalating U.S. threats against Iran raise questions about whether they are a prelude to a military confrontation or political and media pressure shaped by calculations a…