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New escalation in the Strait of Hormuz

The United States launched multiple airstrikes against Iran on Sunday, in response to an Iranian action against a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The initial attack set the boat on fire and left one crew member missing.

Tehran responded with offensives against Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman. The latter nation, located on the other side of the strait, faces Iranian pressure to cooperate in managing maritime traffic.

The US military said it seeks to “degrade” Iran’s ability to attack commercial ships that transit freely through the waterway. The statement came after a third round of attacks, which lasted until early Monday morning.

Iranian state media confirmed explosions at several points. The first American wave, on Sunday morning, was a direct retaliation for the Iranian attack on the container ship the day before. In response, Iran attacked Gulf Arab countries, intensifying a cycle of violence that jeopardizes negotiations between Tehran and Washington to end the conflict.

Military objectives and reactions

Hours later, the United States attacked again. The governor of the island of Qeshm, near the strait, reported fewer than a dozen shells fired at military targets, with no casualties, according to the state agency IRNA. Explosions were also heard in Bandar Abbas and Hajiabad.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said some attacks targeted missile systems, air defense and vessels of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

US Central Command said it hit about 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition depots and communications equipment.

Negotiations on the brink of collapse

Iran and the United States are almost halfway through the 60-day period of their interim agreement, designed to reach a definitive cessation of hostilities. The strait, a key route for global oil and gas supplies, has become a point of friction that threatens to break down talks.

“A return to large-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, according to a statement.

Iran maintains that the strait is closed; The United States denies it. The tension continues to increase.

Pope Leo XIV and his call for peace from Castel Gandolfo

Pope Leo XIV presided this Sunday over his first summer Angelus from the Castel Gandolfo residence. Unlike the traditional popemobile, the pontiff toured the streets in a golf cart to greet the faithful and highlighted the place as a place to rest.

However, the summer season did not diminish his concern about global conflicts. During his reflection, the Pope expressed concern about the wars that affect various regions.

“Unfortunately, the winds of war are blowing again in the Middle East, in Ukraine and in many other parts of the world, sowing violence, terror and death, and once again hitting so many innocent people. Let us not allow these winds to extinguish the small flame of hope and peace,” he stated.

The Pontiff insisted that dialogue is the only way to a lasting solution.

“I renew my desire to persevere on the path of dialogue, encounter and diplomacy, the only path capable of leading to a just and lasting peace,” he said.

International peace summit in Castel Gandolfo

As part of Sea Sunday, Leo XIV also sent a message to maritime workers, affected by the remoteness and fear of conflicts on routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

The promotion of peace will be the focus of a high-level summit to be held this week at the Borgo Laudato Si’. For three days, some 30 Nobel laureates, former heads of state and representatives from more than 30 universities will debate international security, governance of artificial intelligence, disarmament and economics for peace. Among the attendees are leaders from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Aaru and Anthropic.

The opening of the meeting will be on Tuesday, July 14, with the participation of Cardinals Fabio Baggio, Silvano Maria Tomasi and Ángel Fernández Artime, as well as Nobel Prize winners Muhammad Yunus, Juan Manuel Santos and James Muller.

Although an intervention by the Pope has not been confirmed, the fact that the summit will be held in Castel Gandolfo and that the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas is the central theme generates expectations. Sources indicate that a possible announcement regarding his presence could be made this Monday.

Pulse through the Strait of Hormuz

The struggle between Washington and Tehran for control of the Strait of Hormuz escalated this week with attacks and crossed statements. “Hormuz is open. We hit them hard,” said President Donald Trump at the end of a night of bombings against Iran. Tehran “does not control the strait,” he added.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) endorsed the position: US forces are deployed to “ensure freedom of navigation, despite Iran’s unjustified aggression, threats and arbitrary statements.” Shortly after, the military command reported new attacks against missile systems, air defense and vessels of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

Hours earlier, an apparent calm and talks in Muscat – mediated by Oman and Qatar – had raised hopes of detente. But in the early hours of Saturday to Sunday, Iran announced the closure of the strait after attacking a Cyprus-flagged ship with a drone.

Washington’s response was immediate: a third round of attacks against 140 Iranian facilities in the vicinity of the pass, raising the weekly total to 310 targets. “Iran made the wrong decision. Now it is paying the consequences,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Tehran counterattacked with missiles towards US bases in the Middle East. Three fell in Jordan, and Qatar reported three injuries – including a minor – from shrapnel during the interception. Oman denounced having been the target of Iranian attacks and summoned the Iranian ambassador for a formal protest. Saudi Arabia condemned “Iran’s persistent destabilizing behavior.”

Trump expressed frustration: “On Saturday night we had a deal with Iran. It was perfect for us. No nuclear program, none of this, none of that. Iran gave in on everything, but they walked out of the room and an hour later they launched a drone at a ship. They’re sick.”

The Iranian Supreme Leader’s military advisor, Mohsen Rezaei, warned: “This strategic step is worth more than dozens of atomic bombs and the Islamic Republic will protect it.”

For Trump, keeping Hormuz open is key to avoiding a global economic depression. However, the fifth section of the memorandum – which addresses control of the strait – has generated controversy. Analysts point out that its wording gives Iran some influence over the step that it did not previously have, and its ambiguity could fuel new friction.

The scenario complicates negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program, where pessimism is growing even within the US administration.