US-Iran conflict reaches 208 days as sanctions curb flights and a seafarer dies off Oman
The 208-day US-Iran war continues, with Iran cancelling flights after new U.S. sanctions and an Indian crew member killed when the merchant ship MV Cape Dao was attacked near Oman.
On Thursday the war between the United States and Iran marked its 208th day, with both sides claiming readiness for negotiations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran’s willingness to engage in diplomacy but rejected any “language of force.” President Donald Trump warned of possible annihilation if a settlement is not reached, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the U.S. retains multiple options, including military ones.
The United States introduced secondary sanctions that would penalise any country allowing Iranian flights, leading Iran to cancel several international routes and threaten to disrupt neighboring airports that cease its services. Indirect talks resumed for the first time since July, involving Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, mediated by Qatar, with Tehran demanding an end to the war, a halt to U.S. aggression, and the release of frozen assets.
In a separate incident, the Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed that seafarer Suraj Yadav was killed when the merchant vessel MV Cape Dao was attacked en route to India; 19 crew members were rescued. The sanctions were announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as part of an “economic D-Day” strategy to pressure Iran.
Why it matters
Escalating sanctions and stalled talks deepen the US-Iran war, disrupt regional travel and cost civilian lives.
How this story developed
- Sep 10 Yemen's multi-front war intensifies as Houthis and government forces vie for strategic strongholds
- Sep 13 Saudi east‑west oil pipeline shut after a drone strike.
- Sep 13 Houthis allege Saudi forces carried out more than 50 attacks on their targets in a single day.
- Sep 14 Oman hosts a Gulf meeting on Hormuz while Bahrain refuses to participate.
- Sep 14 In a post on X, the European Commission President condemned the Houthi assault on Saudi and American military sites, calling it an act of aggression. She stressed that the EU will continue cooperating with Gulf partners to ensure secure, free shipping through the Hormuz Strait. The statement also highlighted the broader goal of Middle-East stability, which the EU views as a shared interest. The Houthi group claimed to have launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones, citing retaliation for Saudi air strikes in Yemen. Saudi officials responded by ordering air patrols in several southern regions.
- Sep 14 Iranian cargo vessel hit near Qeshm Island, killing one crew member and prompting Oman to delay the Hormuz talks.
- Sep 14 U.S. officials report that roughly two-thirds of pre-conflict oil volumes are now moving through Hormuz, while Iran disputes control of the waterway. Tanker-tracker data, however, shows daily transits remain far below historic levels. At the same time, attacks on a Saudi pipeline and a vessel in the strait have lifted global oil prices.
- Sep 15 Houthi forces reported seizing the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands.
- Sep 15 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi in Cairo to discuss Red Sea navigation and retaliation against the Houthis.
- Sep 16 Saudi civil defense issued emergency shelter warnings for Jeddah, Mecca and Taif.
- Sep 16 Saudi coalition announced a drone it said was Houthi‑linked was heading toward Mecca and triggered a brief security alert.
- Sep 19 Washington met Houthi envoys in Oman and secured assurances that American vessels would not be targeted.
- Sep 21 Fire on the tanker was extinguished after the projectile strike.
- Sep 23 A cargo ship was struck by an unknown projectile, igniting a fire and forcing crew evacuation.
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