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Qatar Pushes Diplomacy as Iran Strikes, Tankers Drop

7/11/2026

26 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Qatar sent a delegation to Tehran to de-escalate tensions and keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
Iran struck U.S. sites in Bahrain and Kuwait after U.S. attacks, causing tanker traffic to drop to about 40 ships, far below the 125-140 pre-war average.
U.S. forces hit over 170 Iranian targets, prompting Senator Chris Murphy and Speaker Hakeem Jeffries to label President Donald Trump’s war strategy a disaster costing taxpayers billions.

History

Historical Context

During the 1987-88 Iran-Iraq War, the United States began Operation Earnest Will to escort Kuwaiti tankers and escalated with the April 18 1988 Operation Praying Mantis that sank Iranian warships and oil platforms. That month Iran Air Flight 655 was mistakenly shot down, killing 290 passengers and leading to Iran’s cease-fire on 18 July 1988. Qatar’s 2024 delegation to Tehran cites that history to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

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Story summary

Qatar sent a delegation to Tehran to de-escalate tensions and keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
Iran struck U.S. sites in Bahrain and Kuwait after U.S. attacks, causing tanker traffic to drop to about 40 ships, far below the 125-140 pre-war average.
U.S. forces hit over 170 Iranian targets, prompting Senator Chris Murphy and Speaker Hakeem Jeffries to label President Donald Trump’s war strategy a disaster costing taxpayers billions.

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