US Strike Costs Life as Iran Puts War Prevention on Washington
Tehran demands Washington act after defensive fires in the Strait of Hormuz, while a new attack kills an Indian sailor off Oman.
By Marta Gray ·
The threat of renewed combat in the Middle East now rests squarely with the United States, according to Iran’s top negotiator. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who serves as parliament speaker and chief negotiator, told lawmakers that Tehran has delivered a firm and rational response to Washington. He stated that the ball is now in the U.S. court to prevent new fighting. Qalibaf did not specify the details of the response he referenced.
His address to parliament followed U.S. military action in the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the military conducted defensive strikes on Iranian targets. The operation specifically targeted Iranian forces using surface-to-air missiles. Iranian state television reported that explosions were heard on Qeshm Island during the engagement.
Qalibaf warned that Iran remains ready for battle with its finger on the trigger. He cautioned that if Washington makes another strategic miscalculation, it will face a new battlefield. According to Qalibaf, the U.S. will find itself even more desperate than it is today, searching for a way out. The statement signals that Tehran views the recent strikes as a test of American resolve.
A separate incident in the region claimed a life and injured others. An attack on a commercial vessel near Limah, Oman, killed one Indian national. Thirteen crew members were rescued in the aftermath. Indian Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the Indian-flagged MSV AL JUSUFI was hit by an unidentified aerial object on Monday. India’s foreign ministry is coordinating with local authorities to arrange the return of the rescued nationals and the body of the deceased.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the MSV AL JUSUFI. However, Iran has previously claimed attacks on vessels that took unauthorized routes through the strait. The country has also claimed that some ships struck mines laid in the early days of the war. The incident adds to the pressure on maritime traffic in a key energy corridor.
The diplomatic push for de-escalation continues as fighting expands in Yemen. The U.N. reported that displaced women and children are losing access to essential services, including maternity care. Renewed fighting between Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces has displaced approximately 300,000 people over the past few months. The conflict, concentrated in the west coast and southern province of Taiz, broke a four-year truce.
Francesco Galtieri, the U.N. Population Fund's representative in Aden, said fighting has escalated to levels not seen since 2020. In the besieged city of Taiz, more than 147,000 women and girls of reproductive age face a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation. Only five of the city’s 27 emergency maternal and neonatal hospitals remain operational. UNFPA estimates that more than 13,000 pregnant women are currently without access to essential maternal healthcare. China also called for dialogue, announcing that a special envoy will visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November.
