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Title card: The US-Iran war: the blockade, talks and nuclear inspections

The US-Iran war: official records, attributed claims and nuclear inspection gaps

The State Department dates the launch of Operation Epic Fury to Feb. 28, 2026. CENTCOM describes a naval blockade of Iranian ports. The IAEA says it cannot verify the status of declared nuclear material. Military assessments and negotiating positions remain attributed to those making them.

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Developing

Sources checked Nov. 13, 2026. Items resting on a single secondhand report, anonymous sourcing or archive-only copies were removed.

Built from published records and reports; we show what each claim rests on, not a verdict of our own.

About this format and its limits

This page distinguishes official records, attributed statements and gaps in the sources checked about U.S. military operations, the blockade of Iranian ports, diplomacy and nuclear inspections.

Statements by governments and other participants establish what they said, not that their military or economic assessments are true. Reuters and AFP reporting on confidential IAEA documents is identified as reporting, not direct access to those documents.

Linked sources were independently read on Nov. 13, 2026. Items not backed by a primary document, two independent outlets or an attributed statement were removed. Differently scoped casualty statements are not treated as a verified total for the war.

At a glance

  • The State Department says U.S. forces launched Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, 2026. S2
  • CENTCOM dates its initial blockade to April 13–June 18 and says it resumed on July 14. S4S5
  • The IAEA says it cannot confirm non-diversion of declared nuclear material. Reuters and AFP report that it does not know the Isfahan plant's exact location or whether it holds nuclear material. S11S28S30
  • Ghalibaf said Iran had sent conditions through a Qatari mediator and awaited a U.S. response. Trump said the U.S. did not need a deal. S23S33
  • In Nov. 13 reporting, Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed radar destruction in Bahrain; CENTCOM denied the claim. S32S33

Timeline

  1. Operation Epic Fury launch The State Department dates the launch of Operation Epic Fury to Feb. 28. S2 5 related claims: The fighting
  2. Blockade begins CENTCOM later dated the first blockade period from April 13 to June 18. S4 5 related claims: The blockade
  3. Blockade resumes CENTCOM says the blockade resumed at 4 p.m. ET and its forces struck targets near Hormuz. S4S5 5 related claims: The blockade
  4. Operation Economic Outcast Treasury launches a sanctions campaign against Iran. S8S9 1 related claim: Sanctions
  5. IAEA board refers Iran The board votes 23-3 to report Iran to the UN Security Council, according to Reuters and Arms Control Today. S36S10 7 related claims: Uranium and the IAEA
  6. Grossi at the Security Council IAEA chief says the agency cannot confirm no diversion of Iran's nuclear material. S11S12 7 related claims: Uranium and the IAEA
  7. Task Force Iron Gate CENTCOM announces the formation of a coordination staff for Iranian land and Caspian Sea transit routes. S13 5 related claims: The blockade
  8. Trump comments on strikes and blockade Trump says in a social post that renewed full-scale action seems unlikely. After meeting Qatar's prime minister, he calls the war militarily effectively over and supports continuing the blockade. S15S16 3 related claims: Talks and statements
  9. Rubio and Hegseth Rubio says major combat is not needed; Hegseth gives U.S. strike figures. S17S19 3 related claims: Talks and statements
  10. Assembly of Experts statement The Assembly calls for considering NPT withdrawal and a doctrine review under the Leader's guidance. Four senators demand restrictions on war funding. S24S26 7 related claims: Uranium and the IAEA
  11. IAEA report and Bahrain reporting Reuters and AFP report IAEA uncertainty about the Isfahan plant. News reports carry an IRGC radar-destruction claim and CENTCOM denial. S28S30S32S33 7 related claims: Uranium and the IAEA

Evidence

Read the evidence by kind

Official records

Documented announcements and records; their claims of effectiveness are not independently established.

  • C1 Official The U.S. State Department says U.S. armed forces launched Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, 2026.
  • C4 Official CENTCOM's July 13 release dates the first blockade of Iranian ports from April 13 to June 18, 2026.
  • C8 Official CENTCOM said its blockade resumed July 14, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET and that it conducted a seven-hour wave of strikes near Hormuz that day.
  • C9 Official On Aug. 24 the Treasury launched Operation Economic Outcast, which it calls a whole-of-government economic campaign against Iran.
  • C17 Official On Nov. 7 CENTCOM announced Task Force Iron Gate, an internal staff of approximately 20 civilian and military personnel in Tampa, to coordinate U.S. government efforts concerning weapons, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and revenue streams across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea.

Who says what

Statements and reports identified by their source, not independent proof of underlying assertions.

  • C5 Official In its July 13 release, CENTCOM said that during April 13–June 18 its forces redirected more than 140 compliant vessels, disabled nine non-compliant ships and allowed more than 50 commercial vessels supporting humanitarian aid through.
  • C10 Documentary The IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution on Sept. 9 reporting Iran to the UN Security Council over its safeguards noncompliance, by a 23-3 vote, according to Reuters and Arms Control Today.
  • C11 Official IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council on Oct. 27 that the agency cannot confirm that none of Iran's safeguarded nuclear material has been diverted. He named Iran's declared 440 kg of highly enriched uranium as a particular concern.
  • C12 Documentary Reuters and AFP reported on Nov. 13 that a confidential IAEA report said the agency did not know the exact location of Iran's Isfahan Fuel Enrichment Plant, its status for safeguards purposes, or whether it held nuclear material.
  • C13 Documentary AFP reported on Nov. 13 that the IAEA said it could not conclude that no declared nuclear material had been diverted from peaceful use, calling this a serious proliferation concern.
  • C14 Testimony Iran's position: it remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and blames U.S. and Israeli attacks for limiting cooperation with the IAEA. Iran told the agency inspections are not possible in the current security situation.
  • C15 Testimony Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei said on Nov. 11 that Iran will not allow any enriched nuclear material to leave the country.
  • C16 Testimony Iran's Assembly of Experts said on Nov. 12 that the issue of leaving the NPT and reviewing the country's defense doctrine had become an unavoidable necessity. It urged officials to address the issue under the Leader's guidance.
  • C18 Official In a Nov. 7 release, CENTCOM said the naval blockade had prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil.
  • C20 Testimony On Nov. 9 Trump said in a social-media post that renewed full-scale military action seemed quite unlikely. After meeting Qatar's prime minister, he said the war was militarily effectively over. He supported continuing the blockade.
  • C21 Testimony Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Nov. 10 there is no need for major combat operations because the blockade and sanctions are hurting Iran's economy.
  • C22 Testimony Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Nov. 10 that U.S. forces struck more than 13,000 targets in under 40 days and destroyed more than 80 percent of Iran's nuclear industrial base.
  • C23 Disputed Iran's Defense Ministry called Hegseth's account a fabrication and said Iran's weapons stockpile far exceeds U.S. figures.
  • C24 Testimony Iran's parliament speaker and lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war status. He said Iran is waiting for a U.S. reply to its seven conditions, including lifting the blockade and sanctions.
  • C25 Testimony Trump posted on Nov. 12 that the U.S. does not need a deal with Iran and told Vice President JD Vance to turn his attention elsewhere.
  • C26 Disputed Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it targeted and destroyed a U.S. early-warning radar in Bahrain, in retaliation for an air attack on a communications tower in Sirik.
  • C27 Disputed CENTCOM said U.S. forces shot down two Iranian drones launched toward Bahrain, reported no injuries or damage, and called the radar claim false.
  • C29 Testimony Four senators (Bennet, Duckworth, Sanders, Van Hollen) said on Nov. 12 that any short-term spending bill before the Dec. 11 deadline must bar funds for the Iran war. Their statement says more than 20 U.S. service members have been killed.

What remains unverified

Limits of the evidence reviewed here.

  • The uranium The IAEA has not verified the status of Iran's declared highly enriched uranium, according to UN News, Reuters and AFP. S11S28S30
  • The Isfahan plant Where the Isfahan enrichment plant is, and whether it holds nuclear material. S28
  • Strike damage The sources reviewed here do not independently establish the competing military-damage claims. S19S20
  • Casualties A verified total across the war is not established here. Hegseth gave 18 deaths in Operation Epic Fury on Nov. 10; the senators gave more than 20 U.S. service-member deaths on Nov. 12. Their scopes and dates differ. S19S26
  • Cost This page does not establish the full cost of the war to the United States.
  • The strait Whether Hormuz is open. Hegseth said on Nov. 10 that the U.S. controls the strait; Iran's parliament speaker Ghalibaf said it will never return to its pre-war status. S19S23
  • The talks Whether formal negotiations are under way. Rezaei said there were no negotiations; Ghalibaf said Iran is waiting for a U.S. response to its conditions. S22S23
  • Sirik The sources checked here do not independently establish the circumstances of the Sirik incident alleged by Iran. S33

Claims

Each claim shows the kind of evidence behind it and how well it is sourced. Sourcing describes the reporting, not whether a claim is true. Open Details for who says so, excerpts and sources.

Showing 3 of 23 claims

Talks and statements 3 of 3 claims

  1. C20

    On Nov. 9 Trump said in a social-media post that renewed full-scale military action seemed quite unlikely. After meeting Qatar's prime minister, he said the war was militarily effectively over. He supported continuing the blockade.

    TestimonyMultiple reports2 sources

    Details for claim C20
    Who says so
    President Trump
    Status
    Argument
    Evidence type
    Party testimony
    Topic
    Talks and statements
    “At this point, however, that seems to be quite unlikely”
    Independently fetched live Nov. 13, 2026; source text checked.. S15

    Sources S15 The Guardian, 9 Nov 2026 S16 CBS News, 10 Nov 2026

  2. C21

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Nov. 10 there is no need for major combat operations because the blockade and sanctions are hurting Iran's economy.

    TestimonyMultiple reports2 sources

    Details for claim C21
    Who says so
    Secretary of State Marco Rubio
    Status
    Argument
    Evidence type
    Party testimony
    Topic
    Talks and statements
    “there’s really no need for major combat operations any longer”
    Independently fetched live Nov. 13, 2026; source text checked.. S17

    Sources S17 U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy China copy), 12 Nov 2026 S18 Reuters (via Internazionale), 10 Nov 2026

  3. C25

    Trump posted on Nov. 12 that the U.S. does not need a deal with Iran and told Vice President JD Vance to turn his attention elsewhere.

    TestimonyMultiple reports2 sources

    Details for claim C25
    Who says so
    President Trump (Truth Social)
    Status
    Argument
    Evidence type
    Party testimony
    Topic
    Talks and statements
    “We don't need a deal with Iran. Those days have long since passed!”
    Independently fetched live Nov. 13, 2026; source text checked.. S33

    Sources S33 CNN, 13 Nov 2026 S32 The Guardian, 13 Nov 2026

Dates to watch

  • Dec. 11 The senators' Nov. 12 statement refers to a Dec. 11 funding deadline and demands restrictions on funding the war. S26

Terms used

  • HEU Highly enriched uranium. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi named Iran's declared 440 kg of it as a particular concern. S11S12
  • IFEP Isfahan Fuel Enrichment Plant, which Iran declared to the IAEA on June 12, 2025. S28S29
  • Safeguards IAEA checks that declared nuclear material is not diverted from peaceful use. S30

Our coverage

  • Pentagon Has Lost 45 MQ-9 Reaper Drones Since Iran War Began, Officials Confirm (2026-08-14) U1
  • 60-Day US-Iran Oil Truce Expires: Hormuz Still Not Really Open, Data Shows (2026-08-20) U2
  • Iran's Parliament Confirms It Is Reviewing a Fast-Track Bill to Quit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (2026-09-28) U3
  • IAEA Chief Tells UN Security Council He Still Cannot Verify Iran's 440 kg of Highly Enriched Uranium (2026-10-27) U4
  • CENTCOM Says Iran Blockade Has Denied It $25 Billion in Oil Exports as Trump Says War Ends 'One Way or the Other' (2026-11-02) U5
  • Trump Calls Iran War 'Effectively Over' After Qatar Meeting, Keeps Blockade in Place; Tehran's Security Chief Tells US to 'Surrender' (2026-11-09) U6
  • Qatari Plan Would Swap Hormuz Reopening for Nuclear Inspections as Brent Falls to $91; Iran Says No Uranium Leaves (2026-11-10) U7
  • Rubio Says Blockade Makes Major Iran Strikes Unnecessary as Qatar Pushes Talks (2026-11-11) U8
  • Iran's Rezaei Rules Out Sending Enriched Uranium Abroad, Cites Nuclear Ships and Submarines; Brent Rises 1.3% to $92.71 (2026-11-11) U9
  • Iran's Assembly of Experts Calls NPT Exit and Doctrine Review an 'Unavoidable Necessity' (2026-11-13) U10
  • Four Senators Demand Iran War Funding Ban in December Stopgap While Murray, Coons Resist a Shutdown Fight (2026-11-13) U11
  • Iran's Revolutionary Guard Claims It Destroyed a US Early-Warning Radar in Bahrain; Washington and Manama Silent (2026-11-12). Published before CENTCOM called the claim false. U12
  • IAEA Says It Still Does Not Know Where Iran's Isfahan Enrichment Plant Is or Whether It Holds Nuclear Material (2026-11-13) U13

What is not known

  • The uranium The IAEA has not verified the status of Iran's declared highly enriched uranium, according to UN News, Reuters and AFP. S11S28S30
  • The Isfahan plant Where the Isfahan enrichment plant is, and whether it holds nuclear material. S28
  • Strike damage The sources reviewed here do not independently establish the competing military-damage claims. S19S20
  • Casualties A verified total across the war is not established here. Hegseth gave 18 deaths in Operation Epic Fury on Nov. 10; the senators gave more than 20 U.S. service-member deaths on Nov. 12. Their scopes and dates differ. S19S26
  • Cost This page does not establish the full cost of the war to the United States.
  • The strait Whether Hormuz is open. Hegseth said on Nov. 10 that the U.S. controls the strait; Iran's parliament speaker Ghalibaf said it will never return to its pre-war status. S19S23
  • The talks Whether formal negotiations are under way. Rezaei said there were no negotiations; Ghalibaf said Iran is waiting for a U.S. response to its conditions. S22S23
  • Sirik The sources checked here do not independently establish the circumstances of the Sirik incident alleged by Iran. S33

Sources (41)

  1. S2
    U.S. Department of State, Office of the Legal Adviser Operation Epic Fury and International Lawstate.gov (opens in a new tab)Primary document: the U.S. government's legal position.
  2. S4
    U.S. Central Command (via DVIDS) U.S. Forces to Resume Naval Blockade Against Irandvidshub.net (opens in a new tab)Primary: CENTCOM public affairs release.
  3. S5
    U.S. Central Command (via DVIDS) CENTCOM Completes More Strikes Against Irandvidshub.net (opens in a new tab)Primary: CENTCOM public affairs release.
  4. S8
    U.S. Department of the Treasury Treasury Launches Unprecedented Campaign Against Iranian Regime on Economic D-Dayhome.treasury.gov (opens in a new tab)Primary: Treasury press release.
  5. S9
    The White House Operation Economic Outcast: Total Isolation of the Iranian Regimewhitehouse.gov (opens in a new tab)Primary: White House release.
  6. S10
    Arms Control Association (Arms Control Today) IAEA Reports Iran to UN Security Councilarmscontrol.org (opens in a new tab)October 2026 issue; exact vote date and tally retained only as attributed reporting.
  7. S11
    UN News World News in Brief: ‘No safe place in Ukraine’, IAEA calls for Iran nuclear inspections, Kenya hosts thousands of Ethiopians fleeing clashesnews.un.org (opens in a new tab)UN News account of Grossi's remarks; relevant Iran subsection.
  8. S12
    Anadolu Agency UN nuclear watchdog chief urges Iran to grant IAEA access to verify nuclear materialaa.com.tr (opens in a new tab)
Show all 41 sources
  1. S13
    U.S. Central Command CENTCOM Launches Task Force to Disrupt Iranian Ground Transit Routes Supporting Illegal Shipmentscentcom.mil (opens in a new tab)Primary: CENTCOM release.
  2. S15
    The Guardian Trump says US war in Iran 'effectively over' as he plays down escalation concernstheguardian.com (opens in a new tab)
  3. S16
    CBS News Live updates: Iran war, U.S. deal negotiationscbsnews.com (opens in a new tab)
  4. S17
    U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy China copy) Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarks to the press, Parischina.usembassy-china.org.cn (opens in a new tab)Official embassy transcript published Nov. 12; remarks delivered Nov. 10.
  5. S18
    Reuters (via Internazionale) Rubio says no need for major combat operations against Iran given US economic campaigninternazionale.it (opens in a new tab)
  6. S19
    U.S. Department of War Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Holds a Press Briefing (transcript)war.gov (opens in a new tab)Primary: official transcript.
  7. S20
    CBS News Live updates: Iran war, nuclear material and the Strait of Hormuzcbsnews.com (opens in a new tab)
  8. S21
    Mehr News Agency (Iran) Iran's top security official: Not a particle of enriched nuclear material to be exiteden.mehrnews.com (opens in a new tab)Iranian semi-official agency; used only for what the Iranian official said.
  9. S22
    Reuters (via Cyprus Mail) Iran will not allow enriched nuclear material to leave the countrycyprus-mail.com (opens in a new tab)
  10. S23
    Al Jazeera Hormuz Strait will 'never return' to pre-war status, Iran's Ghalibaf saysaljazeera.com (opens in a new tab)Interview with Iran's parliament speaker.
  11. S24
    Mehr News Agency (Iran) Assembly of Experts backs NPT exit, warns against escalationen.mehrnews.com (opens in a new tab)Mehr's account of the Assembly's statement.
  12. S25
    Iran International Iran's top clerical governing body calls for nuclear doctrine reviewiranintl.com (opens in a new tab)
  13. S26
    Office of Sen. Tammy Duckworth Duckworth, Bennet, Sanders, Van Hollen release joint statement opposing spending package that funds Trump's war on Iranduckworth.senate.gov (opens in a new tab)Primary: senators' statement.
  14. S27
    Anadolu Agency US Senate Democrats vow to block funding for Trump's Iran war in year-end spending dealaa.com.tr (opens in a new tab)
  15. S28
    Reuters (via KFGO) IAEA increasingly concerned about Iranian enrichment plant, its report sayskfgo.com (opens in a new tab)Reuters saw the confidential IAEA report; the report itself is not public.
  16. S29
    Al Jazeera (AFP, AP, Reuters) UN watchdog calls on Iran to reopen nuclear facilities to inspectionaljazeera.com (opens in a new tab)
  17. S30
    The Hindu (AFP) UN nuclear watchdog urges Iran to take 'steps' towards inspectionsthehindu.com (opens in a new tab)AFP saw the confidential IAEA report.
  18. S32
    The Guardian Iran says it targeted US military radar in Bahrain in retaliatory striketheguardian.com (opens in a new tab)
  19. S33
    CNN Iran targets US military site in Gulf for first time in two months as hopes for a deal fadecnn.com (opens in a new tab)
  20. S36
    Reuters (via WHBL) IAEA board passes resolution reporting Iran to UN Security Councilwhbl.com (opens in a new tab)Syndicated Reuters copy; vote figures from diplomats at the closed-door meeting.
  21. U1
    Unbiased Headlines Pentagon Has Lost 45 MQ-9 Reaper Drones Since Iran War Began, Officials Confirmunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  22. U2
    Unbiased Headlines 60-Day US-Iran Oil Truce Expires: Hormuz Still Not Really Open, Data Showsunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  23. U3
    Unbiased Headlines Iran's Parliament Confirms It Is Reviewing a Fast-Track Bill to Quit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treatyunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  24. U4
    Unbiased Headlines IAEA Chief Tells UN Security Council He Still Cannot Verify Iran's 440 kg of Highly Enriched Uraniumunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  25. U5
    Unbiased Headlines CENTCOM Says Iran Blockade Has Denied It $25 Billion in Oil Exports as Trump Says War Ends 'One Way or the Other'unbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  26. U6
    Unbiased Headlines Trump Calls Iran War 'Effectively Over' After Qatar Meeting, Keeps Blockade in Place; Tehran's Security Chief Tells US to 'Surrender'unbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  27. U7
    Unbiased Headlines Qatari Plan Would Swap Hormuz Reopening for Nuclear Inspections as Brent Falls to $91; Iran Says No Uranium Leavesunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  28. U8
    Unbiased Headlines Rubio Says Blockade Makes Major Iran Strikes Unnecessary as Qatar Pushes Talksunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  29. U9
    Unbiased Headlines Iran's Rezaei Rules Out Sending Enriched Uranium Abroad, Cites Nuclear Ships and Submarines; Brent Rises 1.3% to $92.71unbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  30. U10
    Unbiased Headlines Iran's Assembly of Experts Calls NPT Exit and Doctrine Review an 'Unavoidable Necessity'unbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  31. U11
    Unbiased Headlines Four Senators Demand Iran War Funding Ban in December Stopgap While Murray, Coons Resist a Shutdown Fightunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.
  32. U12
    Unbiased Headlines Iran's Revolutionary Guard Claims It Destroyed a US Early-Warning Radar in Bahrain; Washington and Manama Silentunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage, published before CENTCOM's response; its headline describes the situation at that time.
  33. U13
    Unbiased Headlines IAEA Says It Still Does Not Know Where Iran's Isfahan Enrichment Plant Is or Whether It Holds Nuclear Materialunbiasedheadlines.com (opens in a new tab)Our own earlier coverage; not independent corroboration.

Updates and corrections

  • Independent source review: inaccessible and secondhand material removed; attribution, metric scope, chronology and casualty notes corrected.
  • Recovery review: restored AP timeline items, the Guardian's report of the Qatari plan and the Washington Post's drone-loss report as attributed claims; confirmed the IAEA board vote with Reuters; added Treasury and IEA figures as attributed claims; restored our coverage links.
  • Final review: removed items that rested on a single secondhand report, anonymous officials, a company estimate or an archived copy only; narrowed the IAEA vote and blockade items to what two sources or a primary record support.

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