[ANALYSIS] Iranian War Day 90: US and Iran exchange strikes amid a flareup, but negotiations continue

OVERVIEW

• The US carried out new strikes near Bandar Abbas after accusing Iran of threatening maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran responded with strikes on a US air base and claimed it forced vessels, including a US-linked tanker, to turn back in Hormuz.
• Trump continued signalling negotiations are progressing, while threatening Oman. 

FLARE-UP

US

• A US official said the military conducted new strikes on an Iranian military site.
• The US also shot down multiple Iranian drones, which it said posed threats to US forces and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Trump said the US has “total control” over Hormuz.
• Trump said “at the right time” the US would release boats from the Strait.
• Trump warned Oman would “have to behave or we will have to blow them up”.

IRAN

• Iranian air defences were briefly activated near Bandar Abbas following reports of explosions east of the city.
• Iranian military sources said a US tanker attempted to cross Hormuz with its radar turned off before being forced to turn back by the IRGC Navy.
• Iran’s Navy reportedly forced four vessels to turn back in the Strait of Hormuz using warning shots.
• Iranian sources said earlier US strikes near Bandar Abbas caused no casualties or damage.
• IRGC said it targeted a US air base in response to earlier US aggression near Bandar Abbas Airport.
• Air raid sirens sounded in Kuwait as Kuwaiti air defences intercepted hostile missiles and drones, Al Hadath reported.
• IRGC warned any further US attacks would trigger a more decisive response.
• IRGC Aerospace Forces official Naderi warned any future Iranian response would be unlike anything previously seen.

NEGOTIATIONS

US

• US President Trump said negotiations with Iran were “proceeding nicely”.
• Trump said there would be no sanctions relief in exchange for Iran giving up uranium.
• Trump said Iran wants a deal and was “negotiating on fumes”.
• Trump said “maybe we go back and finish it, maybe we don’t”.
• Trump reiterated Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.
• Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be open to everyone and “no one would control it”.
• Trump said control of Hormuz remained part of the negotiations.
• Trump said the US would keep control of Iran’s money until Iran “behaves”.
• Trump said he was uncomfortable with Russia or China taking Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile.
• Trump said Iran was beginning to give “things that they have to give us”.
• Trump said under a framework agreement the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately.
• Trump said talks with Iran were going well and “they have things understood now”.
• White House officials said negotiations were progressing and Trump had clearly outlined US red lines.
• War Secretary Hegseth said the US was prepared to finish the Iran war militarily.
• Hegseth warned that “no Iranian tanker around the globe was safe”.
• The US imposed fresh sanctions targeting the Persian Gulf Strait Authority over Hormuz toll activity.
• Treasury Secretary Bessent said the sanctions were part of maintaining maximum pressure on Iran.

IRAN

• Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee head said Iran would not retreat from its red lines under Trump’s pressure.
• Iran’s stated red lines included uranium enrichment rights, authority over Hormuz and sanctions removal.
• Iranian National Security Council Official Bagheri said Iran’s assets must be released unconditionally.
• Fars reported Trump could attempt to unilaterally announce an agreement before all disputes are resolved.
• An Iranian negotiating team member said unresolved issues still remained and Tehran would only announce a deal once everything is fully agreed.

ISRAEL

• Trump said Saudi Arabia should join the Abraham Accords.
• Israeli fighter jets carried out strikes on the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, Mehr News reported.