Overview
- U.S. Central Command said forces carried out self‑defence strikes on May 25 that hit missile launch sites and boats it said were attempting to lay sea mines near the Strait of Hormuz.
- The attacks came while Iranian and U.S. delegations were negotiating in Doha under Qatari and regional mediation to extend a ceasefire and agree a 45–60 day window to reopen Hormuz.
- President Donald Trump pressed for Iran to hand over or destroy its enriched uranium as a precondition, a demand Tehran rejects by insisting nuclear terms be negotiated after a framework deal is signed.
- Markets reacted quickly with oil prices rising as traders grew wary that the strikes would derail a deal that had briefly eased supply fears, and Iranian state media claims of downed drones remain unverified.
- If talks fail the region faces renewed naval confrontation and continued disruption to roughly one‑fifth of seaborne oil trade, while mediators and frozen funds remain central bargaining chips in the next days of negotiation.