The United States and Iran exchanged fire over the weekend despite being under a ceasefire agreement, raising doubts about ongoing negotiations for a lasting peace deal.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for launching drone and missile strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait, according to state-run Iranian media, as reported by NPR. Those attempted strikes followed new US military action against Iranian targets. The exchange marks the most significant escalation since the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this month.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a tour of Gulf Arab states last week, told reporters that the US and Iran were planning to meet Monday or Tuesday for technical talks. A senior US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations, told NPR that "nothing has been canceled, and talks are on track for the coming days."
Iran's position was less clear. Deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi was quoted by Iranian media saying that while consultations continue with mediator Qatar, technical talks with the US are not yet planned for this week and will be held only "when the conditions are met." He did not elaborate on what those conditions are.
At the center of the conflict is the question of who controls the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping waterway. During his visit to Gulf allies, Rubio said the strait will remain open. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushed back, saying the responsibility for those arrangements lies with Iran and no other country or entity.
Iran's president also said separately that $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar would be released, according to the Associated Press, a development that comes as the two sides attempt to hold together fragile negotiations.
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply, making any military activity there a concern for global energy markets. The weekend exchange of fire and the conflicting statements from both governments leave the path forward for talks uncertain.
