Exclusive | How US turned up the heat on Iran with Hormuz, Lebanon before ship strikes
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How US turned up the heat on Iran with Hormuz, Lebanon before ship strikes
By Josh Christenson and Ronny Reyes Published June 28, 2026, 5:59 p.m. ETSee more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on GoogleThe US and Iran have agreed to meet after the Islamic Republic suffered blows in the peace deal relating to the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon, a US official told The Post.
The Islamic Republic resorted to attacks against ships in the strait and US allies in the Middle East after the latest developments threatened Iran’s control over the critical oil chokepoint, the source said.
The tit-for-tat attacks, however, are set to stop after the US and Iran agreed to end hostilities on Sunday ahead of peace talks set for Tuesday in Qatar, the official added.
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One of the key points that allegedly pushed Iran to act was US Central Command working with the International Maritime Organization to escort ships through the Omani side of the strait.
The action undermined Tehran’s control over the vital shipping route, which faced a big challenge after Oman said it did not support a toll system through the waterway.
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“The Omani statement of no tolls really undercut the Iranian position,” the official said.
The Islamic Republic is also supposedly upset that it has not been able to find new buyers for its oil after the US lifted sanctions against Iran last week.
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Officials from the National Iranian Oil Co. have reportedly gone around Asia to offer refiners discounted oil to expedite sales, but it remains unclear how many deals have manifested.
As Iran attempts to capitalize on the cash flow secured through the memorandum of understanding, Tehran is also demanding the US unleash its frozen assets.
“We were always very clear with them that frozen funds would only be released as progress is made on the nuclear issue,” the US official said.
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Along with issues related to the oil chokepoint, Iran is frustrated to have been boxed out of the Israel-Lebanon peace talks.
The latest agreement, which was rejected by Hezbollah, calls on the Iran-backed terrorist group to disarm in return for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
It remains unclear how the deal would move forward without Hezbollah’s backing after previous cease-fires fell apart due to the same issue.
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Despite the tit-for-tat attacks in the Middle East, the US and Iran are still holding negotiations under the memorandum of understanding, with both sides trying to gain leverage.
Iran has since ordered the Strait of Hormuz closed again for the next 30 days before reopening the passageway, which sees about 20% of the world’s oil transports.
Meanwhile, President Trump has once again threatened total destruction of the Islamic Republic if the escalation continues.
“There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
