TEHRAN (Realist English). Over the past 48 hours, US armed forces have launched at least three waves of strikes on Iranian territory. The attacks come amid intense negotiations over a 60‑day memorandum of understanding that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and put Tehran’s nuclear program on hold.
Escalation in the Strait and the IRGC’s Response
The first series of strikes took place on the night of May 26. US Navy and Air Force aircraft carried out “defensive” strikes on positions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) near Bandar Abbas. Targets included Iranian boats laying mines in the waters, as well as mobile surface‑to‑air missile launchers.
On May 27, the Pentagon reported another strike on Iranian military infrastructure. This time the target was a ground‑based drone control station in the same port city. According to US military officials, this was followed by an attack by four Iranian kamikaze drones on American ships in the Gulf of Hormuz. All drones were intercepted and shot down.
Tensions peaked on the night of May 28. US fighter jets struck an Iranian military base in the south of the country. The IRGC responded immediately: according to sources, Iranian forces struck a US airbase located on Kuwaiti territory. Official Washington has not yet commented on this information.
Diplomacy Under Fire
The strikes come as the most intensive negotiations since the start of the war are underway. An Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, is currently in Doha discussing a 14‑point memorandum of understanding with Pakistani mediators.
According to leaks, the key points of the document include:
- Reopening the Strait of Hormuz to restore global oil traffic.
- Disposal of Iran’s highly enriched uranium (about 440 kg enriched to 60%). Timelines and conditions have not yet been agreed.
US President Donald Trump earlier said the deal was “largely agreed,” but later called reports of it premature, demanding a “good and proper agreement.”
Iran: “No Agreement Will Be Reached Under Fire”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the signing of an agreement is “not inevitable” and that the visit to Doha does not guarantee a breakthrough. Iranian officials also denied reports that Tehran had agreed to ship nuclear materials abroad, calling them a “fake” and a “psychological operation” by the West.
IRGC spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari wrote on social media: “As long as the Americans continue their military adventures, no agreement will be reached. Say hello to $200 oil.”
Israel: “Bad Deal” and Escalation in Lebanon
Tel Aviv has greeted news of a possible deal with extreme scepticism. The Israeli government fears that Washington will conclude a deal that is too soft, allowing Iran to recover. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office calls the prospective pact a “bad deal” that does not disarm Iran but merely gives it a financial breather.
At the same time, Israel has sharply stepped up pressure on the Lebanese front. The IDF has launched massive strikes on southern Lebanon, ordering civilians to urgently evacuate the suburbs of Tyre. Netanyahu has vowed to “crush” Hezbollah regardless of what agreement the US eventually signs with Iran.
Markets: Oil Prices Rise on Escalation
World oil prices reacted to the series of strikes and counter‑strikes with an immediate rise. Brent quotes have again approached the $100 per barrel mark, as traders factor in the risk of a breakdown in the ceasefire and further military escalation.