Tensions rise as Iran signals the end of maritime agreements following U.S. strikes

On July 12, 2026, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament and chief negotiator, declared that the era of one-sided agreements is over. This statement followed a series of retaliatory actions, including an attack on a Cyprus-flagged commercial vessel and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Iranian official cited a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Iran, which originally stipulated safe passage for commercial ships. The current escalation occurs against the backdrop of significant military activity in the region. The U.S. Central Command reported that its forces conducted a third round of strikes this week, hitting approximately 140 Iranian military targets. These targets included missile and drone facilities, naval infrastructure, munitions storage, and communication networks. The crew of the targeted Cypriot ship was reported to have been rescued.