The United States and Iran exchanged strikes for a second consecutive night, following President Donald Trump's declaration that a previously considered cease-fire was "over." Trump warned on Wednesday that the U.S. military response "will get much worse" should Iran target any more vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The renewed hostilities have caused volatility in Gulf countries, prompting calls for de-escalation and restraint from regional leaders. Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Thursday, condemning the Iranian attacks on vessels. He stated that such actions "undermine trust, threaten international maritime security, and harm efforts to consolidate regional security and stability," according to Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Egypt's Foreign Ministry also denounced the Iranian attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, characterizing them as "a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable violation."
The current status of U.S.-Iran negotiations remains unclear after the second night of traded strikes. When asked about a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on June 17, Trump told reporters, "I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore."