War on Iran: Phase II: Day 36

The 60-day deadline for a final agreement is here, but no deal to end the war has been reached. An environmental disaster is spreading along Oman's coastline, and Israel launches its deadliest strikes on Lebanon since June. Here's what you need to know. Here's a reminder of what was in the Memorandum of Understanding, which was meant to bring the US-Israeli war on Iran to an end. It was a 14-point document which sets out plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ease financial restrictions on Iran, and pave the way for talks on Iran's nuclear programme. This written agreement, which rested on a lot of good faith, was the roadmap to negotiating a final deal, which would be endorsed by a binding resolution by the UN Security Council. It was low-key historic when it was signed on the 17th of June, as it gave both countries a way out of the war. But it's not legally enforceable. Both sides have traded strikes over the alleged violations of the MOU. So what happens next? Iran says its talks with Oman are close to establishing a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz. But Foreign Minister Abbas Aradji says those talks are separate from the question of reopening the vital shipping route. US officials say Washington can keep up its naval blockade of Iranian ports indefinitely and apply new economic measures to pressure Iran. This came after Trump signalled he would rather rely on squeezing Tehran's economy than return to a military offensive. But how long can the US keep a naval blockade going? And can Iran wait it out? A report from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies estimated that the blockade was likely costing around $435 million a day. Inflation is likely to hit 70% by the end of the year, according to estimates by the IMF. Meanwhile, an environmental disaster is unfolding in the Arabian Sea. An oil spill from a tanker that ran aground off Oman has now reached around 12km of coastline. The Caroline Basengi was carrying around 800,000 barrels of oil. Weeks later, the spill reached one of the region's important marine habitats. Iran-backed Houthis have forced Yemen's al-Makha port to suspend operations after being hit by more than 25 missiles in recent attacks. And Israeli attacks continue in Lebanon, despite the MOU explicitly saying military operations would cease there. Stay with Al Jazeera for all the latest updates.