TEHRAN, July 9, 2026 (Alliance News): Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Thursday said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen only under “Iranian arrangements” following renewed military exchanges between Iran and the United States in the Gulf region.
In a statement posted on X, Ghalibaf said the United States had failed to understand that military action would have consequences, warning that any attack on Iran would be met with a response.
His remarks came after the US military announced fresh strikes against Iranian targets, saying the operations were aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz after recent attacks on commercial shipping.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
Iran responded by launching missile and drone attacks targeting Kuwait and Bahrain, both of which host US military facilities. Kuwaiti authorities said their air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones, while Qatar briefly issued an elevated security alert before later declaring the situation safe.
The latest escalation followed President Donald Trump’s remarks that the interim ceasefire with Iran was effectively over, raising fresh concerns about regional stability and global energy supplies.
