Tehran, Washington point to MOU collapse as attacks escalate

• Tehran and Washington each accused the other of violating the memorandum of understanding as military exchanges intensified.
• Fresh strikes across the region, including attacks targeting Gulf states and a tanker incident in the Strait of Hormuz, pushed oil prices higher.

The United States and Iran exchanged fresh accusations over the collapse of their memorandum of understanding (MOU) as both sides launched another round of military strikes, raising fears of further regional escalation.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran would no longer implement the 14-point MOU after Washington had "violated it in both its text and spirit." He said the agreement outlined reciprocal commitments and argued that US actions had made its implementation "practically impossible." Baghaei added that mediators had submitted alternative proposals to Tehran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the accusation from Washington's perspective, saying Iran was "not complying" with the agreement. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Rubio said, "They can't have an MOU that's alive if they're violating the terms."

Regional attacks intensify

Military activity continued across the region overnight. Kuwait's armed forces said they intercepted what they described as "hostile attacks" early Monday, while Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced that air raid sirens had been activated, urging residents to remain calm and seek shelter.

The renewed exchanges followed another wave of strikes between US and Iranian forces late Sunday, with both governments describing their operations as defensive.

US confirms fatalities

The US Department of Defense identified two service members killed in Iranian strikes in Jordan last week as 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19. The deaths mark the first US military fatalities attributed to Iranian attacks since March.

Casualties mount in Iran

Iran's Health Ministry said more than 50 people were killed and 517 others were injured between June 27 and July 19, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

Tanker incident raises shipping concerns

A commercial vessel caught fire after being struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Monday. The authority said the crew safely abandoned the ship, which was left adrift off the coast of Oman.

The incident has renewed concerns over maritime security in one of the world's most strategically important shipping lanes.

Oil prices surge

Global oil prices climbed sharply as the latest military escalation added pressure to already fragile diplomatic efforts. Brent crude briefly rose above $90 per barrel for the first time in more than a month before easing to $88.94, reflecting growing concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies.