U.S. and Iran exchange strikes in Strait of Hormuz after interim deal dispute

U.S. forces opened fire on Iranian positions after Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz that did not follow its rules. Officials said the strikes followed Iran's attempt to enforce what it described as sovereignty over the waterway. The interim deal signed three weeks ago required the strait to reopen to pre-war traffic levels.

It left future management open to further negotiation between the two sides.

Background to the strikes Four and a half months earlier, U.S. forces struck Iran after weeks of threats. Officials at the time described the operation as a short conflict expected to last a few weeks. Public statements from U.S. officials listed several goals, including stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and degrading its missile capabilities.

The interim deal omitted any reference to missile capabilities, which frustrated Gulf state partners.

Differing interpretations of the agreement Iran has attacked ships that did not follow its rules in the strait. U.S. forces responded with strikes, and officials declared the ceasefire deal over. Sanam Vakil, director of Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa program, said both sides hold different interpretations of the memorandum of understanding.

Danny Citrinowicz, a former head of the Iran division of Israel's military intelligence establishment, posted that Iran has no intention of returning to the February 28 status quo. The 60-day timeframe set to reach a final deal is nearly halfway complete.

Officials have continued to reference the timeframe as one possible path forward.