US and Iranian forces exchanged intense missile and drone attacks this weekend. Tehran attacked American facilities in countries around the Persian Gulf on Sunday (12) and claimed to have closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz again, according to international agencies, including Reuters. The attacks were the latest in a cycle of attacks and counter-attacks as Iran seeks to assert its control over navigation through the strait. The offensive extended to Qatar, a mediator in ceasefire negotiations that had not been targeted since April. The United Arab Emirates, which had not been targeted since the beginning of May, stated that its air defenses had intercepted missiles and drones coming from Iran. The resumption of violence casts further doubt on the future of a provisional agreement between the US and Iran, signed last month, which aimed to reopen the strait and end the war after more than 60 days of negotiations. Last week, US President Donald Trump stated that he considered the ceasefire over, although he left the door open for further negotiations. The war, which began with US and Israeli attacks against Iran on February 28, destabilized the Gulf, while Iran's effective blockade of the strait raised energy prices, fueling global inflation. Higher prices, especially for gasoline, are politically sensitive for Trump on the eve of the congressional elections in November.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.