Iran Keeps Hormuz Strait Closed; US Deal Expires, Vessel Attacked

Conflict38 sourcesAug 18, 2026

SplitFactual rigor 57/100

The Story

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the United States meets Iran's demands.

These demands include lifting a naval blockade, oil sanctions, and unfreezing Iran's assets abroad. On the same day, a vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile, according to the British military's UK Maritime Trade Operations center. The attack resulted in one casualty and caused damage to an engine room. The Omani Coast Guard is assisting the remaining crew members.

This development follows the expiration on Monday of a 60-day negotiation period agreed to in a June memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran. President Trump's son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner told Fox News on Monday that Iran is not showing any interest in striking a deal that makes sense for the United States. Mr. Trump is focused on exerting economic pressure on Iran and ensuring it cannot build a nuclear weapon.

President Trump also threatened to bomb Oman if it gets in the way of a deal with Iran on Hormuz, according to Fox News. Oman has been mediating negotiations between the U.S. and Iran for years and is in active talks with Iran over a deal to reopen the Strait. War between Iran and the United States broke out on February 28 after US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Iran has kept control of the Strait of Hormuz since the war began, requiring vessels to seek permission and pay transit service fees. The U.S. is also blockading Iranian shipping traffic through the strait. The June memorandum called for an immediate cessation of military operations and negotiations toward a lasting settlement on Iran's nuclear program and related regional threats, but it quickly unraveled over the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump stated Washington is not seeking to extend the memorandum. Iran has threatened to adopt a fully offensive military posture if diplomacy fails and to conduct timely and precise military attacks to break the U.S.

What they agree on

The 60-day memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran expired on Monday, August 17, without a final agreement.
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. meets Iran's demands.
A vessel was struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, resulting in one casualty and damage to an engine room.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it "gets in the way" of a deal with Iran on Hormuz.
Iran's demands for reopening the Strait include lifting a naval blockade, oil sanctions, and unfreezing assets abroad.

Where they split

Some outlets, such as CBS News and ABC News, lead their coverage with the vessel attack in the Strait of Hormuz, while others, like RedState and The Atlantic, emphasize the expiration of the memorandum of understanding and the broader diplomatic stalemate.
CNBC and The Boston Globe include analysis from former U.S. Ambassador Marc Sievers or think tank officials regarding President Trump's threat to Oman, framing it as an attempt to "get their attention" or a reflection of frustration.
RT (Russia Today) and The Independent directly quote President Trump's threat to "bomb the sh*t out of" Oman, while other outlets like CBS News and The Boston Globe use more tempered language or attribute the quote to Fox News' Trey Yingst.
International sources such as Vanguard Nigeria and The Straits Times provide more detailed lists of Iran's specific demands, including the removal of the blockade, the lifting of oil sanctions, and the unfreezing of Iran’s assets abroad.