On July 8, two ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz were hit by projectiles, causing some damage but no casualties. Iran did not immediately claim responsibility, but later said the U.S. was trying to open new routes through the strait, which constituted a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
On July 9, the U.S. launched a series of airstrikes on Iran, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more.
Iran then responded to the U.S. attacks with strikes on U.S. military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar
Following the tit-for-tat exchange, U.S. President Trump declared that the fragile ceasefire between the two nations, which has been in effect since mid-June, was “over” and threatened to escalate. Iranian officials pointed out that Trump reneged on his promise to not carry out attacks during the funeral proceedings for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On July 10, Trump agreed to engage in talks with Iran, though he maintains that the ceasefire has ended.
Speaking with reporters on July 9, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand acknowledged that the initial attacks on Iran in February by the U.S. and Israel were prima facie [meaning: at first sight] a “violation of international law.” She then blamed Iran, calling its recent attacks on vessels in the strait “completely unjustified.”
This article appeared in the 2026 Summer issue.
