The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes in the Gulf region between July 12 and July 14, 2026, as an ongoing armed conflict between the two countries drove a surge in attacks on commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran claimed on July 12 that it had closed the strait, a narrow waterway that serves as a critical commercial shipping route. Washington denied that claim, and both governments asserted control over the passage, according to United Nations News.
The International Maritime Organization, the UN's maritime agency, condemned overnight attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz area. At least 2 seafarers were killed. Fresh strikes were reported early on July 14, 2026.
UN agencies called for de-escalation on July 13, 2026, and urged diplomacy to end the attacks. The UN Secretary-General pressed both Iran and the United States to urgently resume negotiations. The United Nations stated that the "cycle of escalation must end."