Iranian officials say U.S. strikes violate memorandum of understanding

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran has suspended its commitments to a memorandum of understanding with the United States amid ongoing U.S. attacks. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States has violated every aspect of the agreement over the past week.

Baghaei accused the United States of directing ships to use a parallel route in the Strait of Hormuz, away from the route designated by Iranian officials.

Strikes and casualties Iranian media reported three U.S. air strikes in Hormozgan province near Sirik on July 18, 2026. Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency said the latest strike occurred at 16:40 local time. Hormozgan's governor stated no civilian casualties were recorded in the province.

Iran's ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said the United States has started a war contrary to the terms of the memorandum of understanding and called on the international community to condemn the action.

Regional statements Gulf Cooperation Council head Jassim al-Budaiwi accused Iran of committing war crimes by targeting civilian facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Al-Budaiwi said the attacks constitute a grave violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by phone with his Emirati counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Both officials stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire between the United States and Iran and a return to negotiations.