US-Iran Attacks Overshadow Pakistan’s Push to Revive Diplomacy/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A 10th consecutive day of attacks between the United States and Iran overshadowed Pakistan’s efforts to revive a collapsed interim ceasefire. US strikes targeted Iranian military systems, while Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz and launched missiles and drones at American allies. Brent crude rose above $90 per barrel as simultaneous threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea placed global energy supplies at risk.
Quick Look
- The United States and Iran exchanged attacks for a 10th consecutive day.
- Pakistan is attempting to revive the collapsed interim ceasefire.
- Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni met senior Pakistani leaders.
- Trump said the United States had “no interest in meeting” until Iran was ready for meaningful talks.
- Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has largely stopped.
- US strikes targeted Iranian command centers, missile sites and air defenses.
- Iran attacked a tanker near Oman, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel.
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed three attacks on ships over two days.
- Jordan intercepted five Iranian drones and three missiles.
- Bahrain and Kuwait activated alerts over incoming projectiles.
- Kuwait reported a fourth consecutive day of attacks on water and power facilities.
- Kuwait relies on desalination for approximately 90% of its drinking water.
- The Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
- Houthi media claimed six Red Sea vessels were forced to change course.
- The AP could not independently confirm that claim.
- Brent crude traded above $90 per barrel.
- Regular gasoline averaged $4 per gallon in the United States.
Deep Look
Attacks Overshadow Pakistan Diplomacy
ISLAMABAD — A 10th consecutive day of attacks between the United States and Iran across the Middle East overshadowed diplomatic efforts in Pakistan Tuesday to restore an interim ceasefire that collapsed earlier in July.
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni traveled to Pakistan for meetings with the country’s military and civilian leaders.
Pakistan helped broker the original interim agreement and is seeking to persuade Washington and Tehran to resume negotiations.
However, President Donald Trump offered a pessimistic assessment of immediate diplomatic prospects, saying from the Oval Office that the United States had “no interest in meeting.”
Trump Says Iran Wants Talks
Trump later told reporters that Iranian officials were eager to negotiate but had not offered terms acceptable to the United States.
Iranian officials “want to desperately meet. And until they’re ready to meet in a meaningful way, we have no interest in meeting,” Trump said.
He added that Iran was “getting decimated” by American attacks.
His remarks indicated that Washington had not permanently rejected diplomacy but would continue military operations until Iran accepted what Trump considered substantive negotiations.
Momeni Meets Pakistani Leaders
Momeni met Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to two officials familiar with the closed-door discussions.
The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to disclose details of the talks.
The Iranian minister later met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Sharif expressed serious concern about the escalating conflict and urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could destabilize the region further.
Pakistan Seeks Return to Negotiations
Pakistan’s political leadership and Munir played a major role in negotiating the interim agreement reached in June.
Islamabad wants Washington and Tehran to return to talks and resolve outstanding disputes under the June memorandum of understanding.
It remained unclear whether Momeni brought a new proposal or whether either side was willing to modify its position.
Deep mistrust continues to complicate negotiations.
Iran was attacked in June 2025 and again in February while participating in nuclear talks with the United States.
The interim deal later collapsed after Iran resumed attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which it had agreed to reopen.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Largely Closed
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has largely stopped as the United States and Iran battle for control of the waterway.
Before the war, approximately one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and natural gas passed through the strait.
Repeated American strikes have not persuaded Tehran to loosen its grip on the route.
The continuing disruption threatens energy supplies and global trade while giving Iran significant leverage in any future negotiations.
US Targets Iranian Military Systems
US Central Command said Tuesday that American attacks targeted “Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and air defense systems.”
The command released additional video footage showing attacks on sites inside Iran.
“American forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression toward civilian mariners seeking to freely and openly transit the strait,” Central Command said.
Iranian state media reported explosions in Fars, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces.
Tanker Attacked Near Oman
A tanker was attacked early Tuesday in the Strait of Hormuz off Oman’s coast, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center.
The attack forced the crew to abandon the vessel.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility.
The Guard also said it carried out two other attacks against ships in the waterway Monday.
The maritime route near Oman is the corridor that the US military has encouraged commercial vessels to use to avoid areas under Iranian control.
Iran Targets US Allies
Iran also continued attacking countries allied with the United States.
Jordan’s military said it intercepted five Iranian drones and three missiles Tuesday.
Officials reported that all eight projectiles were destroyed.
Bahrain activated missile warning sirens during another Iranian barrage.
The island kingdom hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet and is a strategically important American military partner.
Kuwait’s Water Facilities Hit Again
Kuwait activated warnings over incoming projectiles Tuesday.
The government said Iran had attacked desalination and electricity plants Monday night for the fourth consecutive day.
The strikes caused fires and infrastructure damage.
Approximately 90% of Kuwait’s drinking water comes from desalination, making repeated attacks on those facilities a direct threat to the civilian population.
American attacks have also hit electrical infrastructure in Iran, while Iranian officials say US forces have targeted water facilities.
Houthi Blockade Opens New Front
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, opening another front in the regional conflict.
The group threatened shipping between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Three Houthi officials said international shipping companies were warned Monday to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the warnings publicly.
Six Ships Reportedly Rerouted
The Houthi-controlled SABA news agency claimed six ships in the Red Sea changed course Tuesday after receiving warnings from the group.
The Associated Press could not independently verify that account.
The reported actions threaten a major alternative route for Saudi oil exports while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked.
Saudi Arabia has relied on a pipeline to move millions of barrels of oil to the Red Sea during the conflict.
Red Sea Threat Raises Energy Risks
The Houthis previously demonstrated their ability to disrupt international shipping during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
The group attacked more than 100 vessels during that campaign.
A renewed Houthi offensive could restrict shipping through the Red Sea as Iran simultaneously limits traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Disruptions in both waterways would threaten the movement of oil, commercial goods and other supplies between Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Oil Climbs Above $90
The escalation pushed Brent crude above $90 per barrel Tuesday.
Regular gasoline in the United States remained at an average of $4 per gallon.
Higher fuel prices are increasing pressure on American households ahead of the fall midterm elections.
Continued attacks on tankers, ports, pipelines or other energy infrastructure could push prices higher and contribute to broader inflation.
Civilian Infrastructure Under Attack
Both the United States and Iran have targeted infrastructure used by civilian populations.
The attacks have damaged electricity systems, transportation routes and water facilities.
Strikes on desalination plants are particularly dangerous in Gulf countries that depend heavily on processed seawater for drinking supplies.
The growing impact on civilians has added urgency to Pakistan’s efforts to restore negotiations, even as the military campaign continues to expand.
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