Conflicting interpretations of a newly signed interim peace agreement triggered a series of retaliatory military strikes between the United States and Iran in the Persian Gulf region on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The escalation began after multinational maritime efforts attempted to expand shipping routes near Oman without direct Iranian oversight.
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Maritime traffic dropped from 70 transits on Wednesday to 40 on Saturday, according to Windward AI.
Iranian forces targeted Kuwait and Bahrain with drones and missiles following US airstrikes on Iranian surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities.
Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles over a major US army base with no reported casualties, while an Iranian strike in Bahrain damaged an eight-story residential building near the international airport.
Dispute Over Article 5
The current hostilities put both nations back toward open conflict just 10 days after signing a 14-point memorandum of understanding on June 17, which included maritime transit guidelines under Article 5.
The dispute centers on Article 5 of the memorandum, which governs the immediate reopening of the strategic shipping lane for a 60-day period.
"Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa," Article 5 says.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated during a visit to Baghdad that Tehran maintains exclusive administration over the strategic waterway.
