DUBAI/TEHRAN - Iran warned of a powerful response to any renewed attack as talks between the U.S. and Iran remained stalled despite the two countries signing a memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending the conflict. The war began with joint American-Israeli strikes on Iran in February that killed top Iranian officials and commanders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The U.S. says it is enforcing a naval blockade of Iran's Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman ports. Iran claims control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and continues to claim attacks on shipping transiting the waterway. Meanwhile, intensified fighting between Saudi-backed Yemeni forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen has seen the latter repeatedly attack Saudi military, oil infrastructure and transport facilities. The two sides have continued to exchange strikes but have not returned to the intense fighting seen in the early stages of the conflict. Regional analysts say the situation remains fragile, with proxy dynamics in Yemen adding further complexity to the broader U.S.-Iran standoff.