US-Iran ceasefire collapses as Trump restarts blockade amid tanker attacks
A ceasefire between the United States and Iran that was signed in June has broken down after both sides exchanged military strikes this week. President Trump announced Monday that he is reinstating a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and suggested the US would charge a 20 percent toll on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The collapse followed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the strait, which the US military says violated ceasefire terms. Trump told Congress limited military operations have resumed. The blockade announcement sent global oil prices surging more than 9 percent. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil and gas, making its closure economically significant worldwide. Both sides have accused each other of violating the June 17 memorandum of understanding, which was supposed to last 60 days while negotiators worked on final terms.
Key facts
- The June 17 memorandum of understanding between US and Iran signed at Versailles established a 60-day negotiation period to finalize a deal
- Trump announced the blockade reinstatement on July 13, 2026, following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
- Brent crude oil surged 9.59 percent to $83.30 per barrel on the blockade announcement, posting its biggest single-day percent gain in over six years
- The Strait of Hormuz handled approximately one-fifth of the world's traded oil and natural gas before the 2026 war began in February
- Trump proposed a 20 percent toll on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz under US protection, which his own administration previously deemed illegal under international law
- US military struck 90 Iranian targets along the coastline according to CENTCOM reports
- Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes as a gross violation of the memorandum of understanding
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets highlight how Trump's administration failed to craft a sustainable agreement, with critics pointing to gaping holes in the memorandum that invited Iran to take control of the strait. Democrats argue the ceasefire's repeated breakdowns reflect poor strategic planning and lack of clear objectives from the Trump administration.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning sources and Trump himself frame the blockade reinstatement as a necessary response to Iranian aggression against shipping and a reassertion of US strength. Trump administration officials argue the blockade provides essential economic leverage and that Iran must respect ceasefire commitments.
Limits of this briefing
Coverage reflects the current moment in an ongoing, rapidly evolving conflict with frequent accusations and counter-accusations from both sides. Long-term implications for global energy markets and diplomatic prospects remain uncertain.
Sources
- CNN: July 13, 2026 - US resumes strikes while Iran says it struck two tankers in Strait of Hormuz Centre
- Council on Foreign Relations: Trump's Iran Deal Has Collapsed, Leaving the U.S. With Few Good Options Centre
- CBS News: U.S.-Iran War Latest: U.S. blockade on Iranian ports restarts as Trump angles for control over Strait of Hormuz Centre
- Al Jazeera: Trump hints at further Iran negotiations after exchange of fire over Hormuz Left
- NPR: U.S. and Iran exchange intensifying fire across Mideast, threatening ceasefire deal Centre