Lead:
A dramatic deterioration in U.S.-Iran relations unfolded Wednesday, as the American military struck more than 80 targets inside Iran, President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire with Tehran "over," and Iranian forces attacked vessels — including a Saudi tanker and a Qatari LNG carrier — in the Strait of Hormuz. The crisis has drawn swift condemnations from regional governments and raised urgent questions about maritime security and the prospects for any resumed nuclear diplomacy.
Details:
According to Alyaum, the U.S. Central Command confirmed it struck more than 80 targets in Iran overnight, following what Washington described as Iranian provocations. President Trump, speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, declared the ceasefire with Iran finished, calling Tehran "sick," and warned of further decisive action. Separately, Alyaum reported that Iran launched missiles and drones toward American naval targets in the Strait of Hormuz, with Al-Arabiya citing Iranian state media as its source.
Iran's response was unambiguous. Al-Jazirah reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Tehran would not enter final-status negotiations with Washington so long as American threats continued, insisting that "no decisive talks" could proceed under current conditions. Iranian state television also confirmed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a Qatari LNG tanker, identified as the "Al-Ruqayyat," claiming the vessel had ignored warnings while transiting the strait.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar responded with firm condemnations. Alwatan and Newsd both reported that the Saudi Foreign Ministry issued its strongest possible denunciation of Iran's targeting of the Saudi tanker "Wudyan" and the Qatari vessel "Al-Ruqayyat" in Hormuz waters, calling the acts a direct assault on international maritime security. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari, as cited by Al-Jazirah, held Iran fully legally responsible for the attack on the Qatari carrier. Kuwait issued a parallel condemnation, according to Newsd. The Gulf Cooperation Council's Secretary-General Jasem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi also condemned the attacks, reaffirming Gulf solidarity.
On the diplomatic track, Al-Jazirah noted that French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking after surviving an IED attack near his Damascus hotel, called for U.S.-Iran talks to continue "calmly," expressing confidence the negotiations "will resume." The International Maritime Organization, cited by Alyaum, estimated that approximately 6,000 sailors remain stranded in Gulf waters amid the renewed hostilities.
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