Gulf States Join U.S.-Led Strikes on Iran as Trump Restores Shipping Blockade and Agreement Collapses

Key Facts

Published: July 13, 2026 Location: Jerusalem Source: Israel Hayom

• President Trump has restored the blockade on vessels traveling to and from Iran after Tehran rejected demands for unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Washington is preparing additional sanctions targeting Iran’s oil networks, financial institutions and wealthy senior IRGC commanders.

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The fragile memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has effectively collapsed after President Donald Trump announced that Iranian vessels would again be blocked from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said Monday that the strategic waterway would remain open to international shipping but declared that Washington was “reinstating the Iranian blockade,” targeting vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports. The U.S. military is expected to begin enforcing the renewed restrictions Tuesday afternoon.

The move followed Iran’s refusal to accept Washington’s demand for unrestricted, toll-free navigation through the strait, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

Israel Hayom, citing officials familiar with the negotiations, reported that Washington had delivered an ultimatum requiring Tehran to publicly guarantee free passage and immediately end restrictions on commercial vessels. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the demand and insisted that Iran retained authority over the waterway.

According to the Israeli newspaper, the response convinced the Trump administration that the diplomatic arrangement signed in June was no longer viable. That 14-point memorandum had offered Tehran significant economic relief, including restored oil exports and the lifting of an earlier naval blockade, in exchange for reopening the strait and addressing elements of Iran’s nuclear program.

IRGC Tightens Its Grip

Israel Hayom reported that Araghchi has since been sidelined as senior commanders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps increasingly direct Tehran’s response.

The United States is also preparing to intensify economic sanctions against Iran under Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The expected measures would target companies and individuals connected to Iranian oil exports, financial networks and the IRGC.

A U.S. official cited by Israel Hayom said investigators were focusing on senior IRGC commanders believed to hold tens of millions of dollars in private accounts.

A source familiar with the matter said the money reflected both corruption among senior Iranian officials and the diversion of oil revenues to finance Tehran’s international terrorism network.

Gulf States Join Campaign Against Iran

In another significant regional shift, Israel Hayom reported that several Gulf states have begun participating in U.S.-led offensive operations against Iran.

Two Gulf diplomatic officials told the newspaper that regional governments delivered a unified message to Washington over the weekend supporting the resumption of military strikes.

Their change in position followed Iranian missile and drone attacks against Gulf territory, including strikes targeting Qatar and its natural gas infrastructure.

Qatar had previously supported diplomatic mediation and resisted a unified Gulf campaign against Tehran. According to the report, Doha withdrew its opposition after Iranian attacks struck its territory and has stopped efforts to release frozen Iranian funds.

Independent reporting has confirmed that Iran’s recent attacks extended beyond commercial shipping, with Gulf nations accusing Tehran of launching missiles against regional facilities and civilian areas.

Israel remains outside the direct military campaign but is reportedly providing intelligence and logistical assistance behind the scenes.

An Israeli security official told Israel Hayom that Jerusalem still believes Iran will avoid attacking Israel for now. Tehran, the official said, understands that a direct strike could trigger a renewed full-scale war at a time when Iranian forces are already under mounting American and regional pressure.

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