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U.S. Strikes Iran on Strait of Hormuz Escalate; 60-Day Interim Deal Nears Collapse

Intl. RelationsSecurity & DefenceEnvironmentCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
13 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:60-day interim deal3 rounds of strikesJuly 13, 2026Strait of Hormuz
Bodies:United NationsIranUnited StatesOmanIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
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What This Article Covers

1.US launches fresh strikes on Iranian missile systems and Revolutionary Guard boats in the Strait of Hormuz region.

2.Iran retaliates by attacking Gulf Arab states hosting US forces, widening the conflict.

3.The 60-day interim deal between US and Iran is at a critical midway point, with UN warning of catastrophe if negotiations collapse.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The US launched a third round of strikes on Iran targeting missile and air defense systems to degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by attacking Gulf Arab states, including Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan, escalating the conflict. The 60-day interim deal between the US and Iran is at risk of collapse, with the UN Secretary-General warning of catastrophic consequences if full-scale hostilities resume.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Interim Deal Duration60 days
US Strike Rounds in Past Week3
Date of Latest StrikesJuly 13, 2026
UN Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Interim Deal Duration: 60 days
  • ›US Strike Rounds in Past Week: 3
  • ›Target this Data: 60-day interim deal (midway point), 3 rounds of US strikes in past week, Date: July 13, 2026
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: UN Secretary-General António Guterres
  • ›Target this Legal Point: No specific article/act, but note the concept of 'international waterway' and 'Strait of Hormuz' as a chokepoint

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Oman summoned the ambassador of which country to protest the recent strikes?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. The US strikes targeted missile and air defence systems and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard boats.

2. Iran retaliated by attacking only US military bases in the Gulf region.

3. The UN Secretary-General warned that a return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

How many rounds of airstrikes had the US launched against Iran in the past week according to the article?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the US strikes as stated in the article?

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