Iranian commuters pass a huge anti-U.S. billboard reading in Persian, "The devil army will be drowned in the Persian Gulf," in Enghelab Square in Tehran, on Sept. 14, 2026. (Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP) /
After weeks of intense U.S. attacks on Iran, a lull set in following the signing of a framework agreement between the Iranian and U.S. presidents on June 17. But, on July 6, as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral, killed on the first day of the war, Feb. 28, drew hundreds of thousands of people from Tehran to Qom, Iranian missiles targeted commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Three vessels were hit within a matter of hours. The Islamic Republic had, however, committed to allowing safe and unimpeded passage through this strategic strait until a long-term agreement could be reached. No party claimed responsibility for the attacks. But U.S. retaliation was swift. On July 7, Washington launched a series of strikes against Iran, reigniting the war.A few days later, CBS reported that Iranian officials had attributed these attacks to a...
After weeks of intense U.S. attacks on Iran, a lull set in following the signing of a framework agreement between the Iranian and U.S. presidents on June 17. But, on July 6, as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral, killed on the first day of the war, Feb. 28, drew hundreds of thousands of people from Tehran to Qom, Iranian missiles targeted commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Three vessels were hit within a matter of hours. The Islamic Republic had, however, committed to allowing safe and unimpeded passage through this strategic strait until a long-term agreement could be reached. No party claimed responsibility for the attacks. But U.S. retaliation was swift. On July 7, Washington launched a series of strikes against Iran, reigniting the war.A few days later, CBS reported that Iranian officials had attributed these attacks to...