US-Iran Tensions Escalate as Talks Suspended, IRGC Criticizes Negotiators

Washington warns of further strikes on Iran after Tehran attacks Gulf bases, while diplomatic channels remain open but strained.

US-Iran Tensions Escalate as Talks Suspended, IRGC Criticizes Negotiators — Early Sunday, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, hours after US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz warned that Washington is ready to continue strikes on Iranian military targets if threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz persist.[^1] The planned June 28 talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland have been suspended due to the escalation, according to reports citing The Wall Street Journal.[^2] The suspension follows a period of heightened military activity since the outbreak of war on February 28, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and a cumulative loss of about one billion barrels of oil, as noted by Aramco's CEO.[^3] Meanwhile, senior officials in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are leveling harsh criticism at Iran's representatives in negotiations, accusing them of conceding too much without receiving adequate returns from the US.[^4] The IRGC is considering reigniting the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could lead to renewed tensions. Despite this, the IRGC has stated it has no intention of scrapping the memorandum of understanding with the US, indicating internal divisions within Iran's leadership.[^5] The US insists that the agreement does not transfer control of the strait to Iran and that navigation in international waters must remain free, while Iran claims exclusive right to control the strait—a fundamental point of contention that remains unresolved.[^6] A bipartisan group of US House lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urging the Trump administration to halt F-35 sales to Turkey, citing concerns over Turkey's partnership with Israel and Russian intelligence.[^7] This move underscores growing unease in Congress about Ankara's reliability, even as Turkey condemned Israel's decision to recognize the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire. The confluence of these events paints a picture of a volatile region where military posturing, diplomatic brinkmanship, and internal political pressures are colliding with no clear resolution in sight.