Iran's President Criticizes US Foreign Policy, Compares World Cup Hosting to "Bullying"

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took a swipe at the United States by comparing its role as host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to its foreign policy, accusing Washington of "bending rules, bullying rivals, creating obstacles, and cheating". In a post on X, Pezeshkian wrote: "The US government's conduct as World Cup host follows its familiar foreign policy: bending rules, bullying rivals, creating obstacles, and cheating. This is their MAGA playbook. Iran rejects such games. We stand firmly for our rights."

His remarks came as tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated sharply. US President Donald Trump said the interim agreement with Iran was effectively "over", though he would allow talks to continue. "For me, I think it's over. It's just a waste of time dealing with them," Trump said on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.

Here are the top developments:

Iran launches retaliatory strikes on US bases

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had carried out a joint missile and drone operation targeting 85 US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to American strikes. It also claimed to have shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone. Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, and Kuwait, home to US Army forces, issued missile alerts on Wednesday morning after Iran claimed responsibility for targeting American military bases in both countries. The statement, carried by state broadcaster IRIB, described the operation as an "initial response" to what Tehran called American aggression. Missile alerts were reportedly activated in both Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, and Kuwait, where US Army forces are stationed. Iran's armed forces vowed to respond "decisively" and insisted they would not allow any outside power to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz.

US hits more than 80 Iranian military targets

The latest round of US strikes was carried out by US Central Command (CENTCOM), which said it targeted more than 80 Iranian military sites on July 7. According to CENTCOM, the operation was launched in response to Iran's alleged attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes targeted Iranian air defence systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar installations, anti-ship missile capabilities and more than 60 IRGC fast attack boats operating near the strategic waterway. The US said the objective was to weaken Iran's ability to threaten international shipping and warned that American forces remained prepared to respond if Tehran violated the ceasefire again.

Fresh shipping attacks fuel Hormuz tensions

The latest military exchange followed reported attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest energy corridors. Washington accused Iran of striking the Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, the Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan and the Liberian-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity, calling the incidents a violation of the ceasefire and freedom of navigation. Iran has not officially claimed responsibility. However, state broadcaster IRIB reported that the Qatari-linked tanker Al Rekayyat was targeted after allegedly ignoring repeated Iranian warnings and sailing through an Omani shipping route with US naval support. Tehran has repeatedly maintained that vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz must follow routes designated by Iran, warning that it cannot guarantee the security of ships using alternative passages.

Oil sanctions restored as diplomatic deal unravels

Alongside the military action, Washington revoked a temporary licence that had allowed Iranian crude oil exports under a memorandum of understanding signed in June. The United States described Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz as unacceptable and said they warranted renewed economic pressure. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the move as a clear violation of the agreement, while Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of repeatedly breaching the deal. In a post on X, Ghalibaf said: "The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don't fold."