Iran attacking ships in Hormuz despite peace deal: Report
What's the story
Iran has fired multiple drones at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz every night since the US-Iran memorandum of understanding was signed on Sunday, NBC reported. The US military intercepted the drones before they posed a threat to commercial or US military ships and personnel, according to reports from The Jerusalem Post and NBC. Washington and Tehran are expected to formally sign the framework on Friday, having already digitally signed it on Sunday.
Economic impact
Iran's strikes on Gulf countries' energy infrastructure used as leverage
This alleged attack by Iran comes after a US intelligence assessment revealed that Iran can effectively shut down access to the Strait of Hormuz at will from now on. "We have now handed Iran de facto control over the strait - a weapon more powerful than any nuke," one of the sources familiar with the US intelligence assessments told CNN.
Agreement details
US had to negotiate with Iran intensively for Hormuz
Iran has also learned how to use targeted strikes on Gulf countries' energy infrastructure as an asymmetric capability, having done so successfully during the war, according to a second source. The US has had to negotiate with Iran intensively to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting Tehran's leverage. A senior US official told CNN that Iran cannot access "any benefits" of a framework agreement unless it keeps the strait open and adheres to other agreed points.
Trump
Trump hints at imminent public disclosure of Iran deal text
US President Donald Trump has hinted at publicly disclosing the text of the agreement with Iran "in a couple of days." He said he was waiting for a "formal setting" before doing so but called it a "great document." The core substance of the accord is that "Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," according to President Trump. Trump signed the agreement electronically with Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Sunday, but the full text hasn't been publicly disclosed.