A senior Iranian official stated on August 17 that Iran had shifted from a defensive to an offensive policy in the Strait of Hormuz following expiration of a 60-day diplomatic window established by a June 17 memorandum of understanding. The MoU had called for immediate cessation of military operations, but reports differ on the reasons for its collapse and on the existence of an active U.S. naval blockade. Multiple sources confirm the timeline and Iran's stated intent to conduct precise strikes if diplomacy fails.