U.S.-Iran war: Timeline of key events

On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes (Operation Epic Fury) against Iranian military and nuclear facilities, kill...

What Happened

On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes (Operation Epic Fury) against Iranian military and nuclear facilities, killing the Iranian Supreme Leader and senior officials.
Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israel, US bases in the Gulf, and US-allied countries, and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to international commercial shipping.
By 4 March 2026, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed complete operational control of the Strait, establishing a regime requiring vessels to obtain prior authorisation and pay transit tolls exceeding USD 1 million per ship.
A temporary ceasefire was reached on 8 April 2026, mediated by Pakistan. However, fighting resumed, and the US launched naval escort operations (Operation Project Freedom, 4 May 2026) and conducted further airstrikes in June 2026.
On 17 June 2026, the United States and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Palace of Versailles, Paris, mediated by Pakistan, committing to end active hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and enter a 60-day window for comprehensive nuclear and sanctions talks.
The MoU stipulates Iran will promptly reopen the Strait and the United States will cease its naval blockade of Iranian ports immediately; it also includes a USD 300 billion reconstruction framework for Iran and removal of US sanctions contingent on final agreement.

Static Topic Bridges

Strait of Hormuz: Strategic Geography and Global Energy Security

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway located between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south. At its narrowest point, the Strait measures approximately 34 kilometres (21 miles), forming the only sea passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and thence to the Indian Ocean. Before the 2026 crisis, roughly 25% of global seaborne oil trade and approximately 20% of world liquefied natural gas (LNG) transited through it — roughly 20 million barrels of oil per day.

Located between Iran (north shore) and Oman/UAE (south shore); width ~34 km at narrowest
Connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean
About 20–25% of global seaborne oil trade passes through it daily
20 million barrels of oil per day (pre-crisis transit volume)
Alternative pipeline routes: Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline (Yanbu on Red Sea) and UAE's Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (Fujairah); combined capacity ~9 million barrels/day — insufficient to replace strait transit
LNG from Qatar, the world's largest LNG exporter, also transits the Strait

Connection to this news: Iran's closure of the Strait triggered the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis — Brent crude surpassed USD 126/barrel, natural gas prices in Europe rose above €60/MWh, and Gulf Arab states cut output by at least 10 million barrels per day. The MoU's provision to reopen the Strait is thus the immediate trigger for global commodity market stabilisation.

International Law and the Right of Passage Through International Straits

Under international maritime law, straits used for international navigation are subject to the right of "transit passage" — a principle enshrined in Part III of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982). Transit passage is broader than the right of "innocent passage" in territorial waters and cannot be suspended by the coastal state. The Strait of Hormuz is classified as an international strait under UNCLOS.

UNCLOS (1982): governs maritime zones — territorial sea (12 nautical miles), Exclusive Economic Zone (200 NM), continental shelf
Transit passage through international straits cannot be suspended or impeded by the bordering state
Iran is not a party to UNCLOS and argues the Strait runs through its territorial and contiguous waters, entitling it to apply "innocent passage" standards and prior authorisation requirements
The United States is also not a formal party to UNCLOS but accepts most provisions as customary international law
In 2026, Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) published maps claiming regulatory jurisdiction extending into UAE and Oman waters; five Gulf states protested formally at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

Connection to this news: Iran's legal argument — that the Strait lies within its territorial waters — underpinned its strategic claim to control transit and charge tolls. The MoU's peace framework negotiations will need to address this jurisdictional dispute to create a durable regime.

Pakistan as a Regional Mediator

Pakistan mediated both the April 2026 ceasefire and the June 2026 MoU signing. This role carries significance given Pakistan's geography (sharing a long border with Iran), its diplomatic standing with both parties, and the economic stakes — India, China, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries received partial exemptions from Iran's blockade during the crisis.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the MoU terms publicly on 18 June 2026
Pakistan received an exemption from Iran's blockade, allowing Pakistani-flagged and linked vessels passage
India also received limited passage concessions from Iran during the crisis period
Iran's exceptions extended to vessels from China, Russia, India, Iraq, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, and the Philippines

Connection to this news: Pakistan's mediator role elevates its diplomatic standing in West Asian affairs. For India, the outcome — reopening of the Strait — directly addresses a critical vulnerability: Indian seafarers were among the most affected, with at least three killed, and over 18,000 Indian seafarers deployed across the Gulf region.

Key Facts & Data

Strait of Hormuz width: ~34 km at narrowest point
Pre-crisis oil transit: ~20 million barrels/day (~25% of global seaborne oil trade)
LNG transit: ~20% of world LNG trade
Oil price peak: USD 126/barrel (Brent crude); started at ~USD 70/barrel
Tanker traffic disruption: initial 70% reduction; over 600 tankers stranded inside the Gulf by May 2026
Seafarers stranded: ~20,000 mariners aboard ~2,000 ships in the Persian Gulf at peak
Indian seafarers killed: at least 3 confirmed deaths (including 1 on MKD Vyom, 2 on Skylight)
Indian seafarers in Gulf region: 18,000+ deployed; India supplies ~10–12% of global maritime workforce
MoU signed: 17 June 2026, Palace of Versailles, Paris
Mediated by: Pakistan (primary mediator)
60-day nuclear talks window: triggered by MoU; comprehensive deal to be finalised within this period
Sanctions relief: removal of "all types" of US sanctions on Iran (contingent on final deal)
Iran reconstruction plan: USD 300 billion framework included in MoU
IRGC: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — Iran's primary military-security organisation, separate from the regular armed forces (Artesh)
Operation Epic Fury: US-Israel joint airstrike campaign launched 28 February 2026
Operation Project Freedom: US Navy escort mission for merchant vessels launched 4 May 2026