Overview
- The U.S. military conducted fresh limited strikes on Qeshm Island on Friday targeting Iranian air‑defence systems while Iranian state media reported explosions and said its forces shot down a U.S. drone.
- Both Washington and Tehran have continued to strike commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with multiple ships reported damaged or disabled and maritime traffic running far below normal levels.
- U.S. Central Command announced Task Force Iron Gate to expand the blockade beyond the sea and offered up to $20 million through Rewards for Justice for information on Iran’s nuclear program, signaling a broader multi‑domain pressure campaign.
- Diplomacy through Qatar and regional partners is active, but talks remain unresolved because Tehran insists on seven preconditions including sanctions relief and unfrozen assets while the U.S. demands nuclear commitments first.
- Verification of many strike and ship‑attack claims remains limited and reporting varies by outlet, with some coverage stressing the risk to global energy supplies and European costs and other pieces highlighting urgent shuttle diplomacy and the danger of wider, less‑geographically constrained retaliation.