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Iran president seeks diplomatic end after US strikes
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
US strikes Iranian launchers on Larak Island; Iran retaliates against US bases in Jordan and UAE. Iran's president seeks diplomatic end as war hits six-month mark.
Background
The US and Iran have been in conflict since February 28, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered hostilities. The Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route, has been effectively blocked by Iran. Diplomatic efforts by Pakistan and Qatar have stalled, and Washington has declared 'economic warfare' against Tehran.
How it unfolded
- Feb 28, 2026US and Israeli strikes on Iran trigger hostilities, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Jun 2026A memorandum of understanding towards a final peace deal is signed, but no agreement is reached.
- Aug 30, 2026US carries out airstrikes on Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island, the first exchange in a month.
- Aug 31, 2026Iran retaliates with ballistic missile attacks on US bases in Jordan and UAE. A supertanker hits mines in the Strait of Hormuz and catches fire.
Who’s saying what
- Iran
- Iranian President Pezeshkian says 'We are not seeking war, but we will deliver a decisive response to the aggressors.'
- US
- President Trump claims the US is 'winning very big' and has 'no time schedule' to resolve the conflict.
- Public
- About two-thirds of US adults say the war with Iran has not been worth fighting, according to a July AP-NORC poll.
Still unverified
Trump's claim that Iran's Kharg Island was 'being blown to smithereens' is disputed by the head of National Iranian Oil Company.