Iran suggests MoU ‘suspended’ as 50 killed in US strikes in July

Iran Declares Islamabad MoU ‘Suspended’ Amid Escalating Regional Conflict

Iran has officially declared the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States “suspended,” citing repeated violations of the agreement by Washington. The announcement follows a week of intense military escalation that has resulted in significant casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure across the region.

According to Iran’s Health Ministry, at least 50 people have been killed and more than 500 injured in U.S. strikes since July 6. The breakdown of the diplomatic framework, which was signed in mid-June to foster a lasting peace, comes as the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) completed a seventh consecutive night of raids targeting Iranian military logistics, surveillance sites, and weapons storage facilities.

Collapse of the Islamabad Agreement

The diplomatic impasse was confirmed on Saturday by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi. The U.S. has violated and suspended all its commitments within the framework of the Islamabad MoU, Gharibabadi stated, adding that Tehran has consequently suspended its own obligations while the country remains focused on its defense.

The agreement had previously assigned Iran responsibility for managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in consultation with Oman and regional neighbors, as stipulated in Article 5. However, Iranian officials argue that the U.S. bypassed these provisions to assert unilateral control over the waterway. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei noted that the U.S. launched military operations on the 21st or 22nd day after the signing, despite the MoU providing a 30-day window for establishing safe passage mechanisms.

U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at a NATO summit in Ankara 10 days ago, declared the MoU “over” following Iranian attacks on tankers. Since then, the U.S. has reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and revoked sanctions waivers on Iranian oil exports.

Civilian Infrastructure and Humanitarian Impact

The conflict has increasingly targeted essential civilian services, drawing condemnation from observers and legal experts. In southern Iran, the Bunji desalination plant in Jask was reported completely destroyed by U.S. strikes, leaving approximately 20 villages without access to drinking water. Additionally, Iranian state media reports have shown extensive damage to bridges and rail lines. Retaliatory strikes by Iranian forces have similarly impacted regional civilian infrastructure. Kuwait reported the closure of its airspace after Iranian missiles and drones struck two power and water desalination plants. Several Kuwaiti firefighters were wounded while battling blazes ignited by the strikes.

For more on this story, see Iran-US Negotiations: Abbas Araghchi Links Lebanon War to Potential Peace Talks.

Casualties and Military Engagements

The human cost of the renewed hostilities was confirmed by CENTCOM on Saturday, which reported that two U.S. service members were killed in action during Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan on July 17. An additional service member remains missing, and four others were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for operations targeting U.S.-linked sites, including:
* A U.S. military fuel pier at Kuwait’s al-Ahmadi port.
* A U.S. warplane assembly site at Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base.
* A U.S. base in Azraq, Jordan.

In a statement read on state television, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that Tehran would inflict unforgettable lessons on the U.S. in response to the continued attacks. He further dismissed the U.S. President’s commitment to the now-defunct MoU as worthless and invalid.

Regional Stakes and Economic Alerts

The intensifying battle over the Strait of Hormuz has placed the global economy on high alert. The U.S. Navy is currently enforcing a naval blockade, while Iran maintains that it retains the right to dictate shipping routes through the channel.

As the war shows no sign of de-escalation, regional authorities in Bahrain have repeatedly urged residents to seek shelter as air raid sirens sound, and Jordan confirmed the interception of 10 Iranian ballistic missiles. Despite the mounting pressure and the loss of the diplomatic path established in June, both Washington and Tehran appear committed to their current military strategies, with no immediate indications of a return to negotiations.