The US-Iran war has entered its seventh month, marked by renewed hostilities this week after a month-long lull. President Donald Trump signaled a new phase, telling reporters, “We’re going to hit them hard … there will be a response.”
The escalation followed Iran’s missile attacks on US military sites in Jordan, in retaliation for US strikes on Iran’s Larak Island. Jordan intercepted eight missiles, while Washington claimed it destroyed two Iranian rocket launchers intended for mining the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Axios, the Trump administration is reportedly considering a “no war, no peace” strategy, involving periodic strikes on Iran without engaging in a sustained conflict. The plan, however, has not yet been approved by Trump.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at the SCO summit in Bishkek, offered a ceasefire if the US reciprocates and honors the June memorandum of understanding. The deal, however, collapsed due to vague wording, particularly regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait, once seeing 100 ships daily, now averages only seven. Iran allows passage only to “friendly” vessels, while the US claims its Navy is successfully escorting ships.
Economic pressure is intensifying. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions on 60 entities linked to Iranian oil sales, targeting Tehran’s revenue. Iran’s Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati dismissed claims of economic collapse, asserting sufficient foreign currency reserves.
Analysts warn of the risks of escalation. Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute argues that periodic bombing leads to a forever war, while Iranian expert Mohammad Eslami suggests Washington’s calculations were flawed, and each strike raises regional tensions.
Trump’s domestic standing is weakening, with approval ratings at 33% amid rising fuel prices and war fatigue. Israel, a formal ally, pursues its own agenda, insisting on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons without providing evidence of such a program.
Source: www.aljazeera.com