The US and Iran are locked in a daily bombing campaign, each trying to control the Strait of Hormuz. The relentless airstrikes have shown the limitations of President Donald Trump's reliance on escalating attacks to bend Tehran to his will.
In the midst of this chaos, the Trump administration claims it is open to diplomacy, but Iran has refused to loosen its grip over the crucial oil shipping corridor in the Persian Gulf. This stalemate raises questions about the strategy for the next phase of the conflict as intensifying attacks have collapsed an interim ceasefire deal, killed additional American troops, and sent US gasoline prices back up - posing new problems for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
The fighting has been marked by both sides targeting civilian infrastructure relied on by millions. Kuwait's Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Ministry reported that Tehran struck desalination and power plants for a fourth straight day, causing fires and damage. This is particularly concerning for Kuwait as 90% of its drinking water comes from desalination, making the attacks a matter of life and death for the tiny nation.
The US military's Central Command said it targeted "Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems." It released footage of bombings that targeted sites in Iran. The command added that American forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression towards civilian mariners seeking to freely and openly transit the strait.
Iranian state media reported explosions were heard across six different provinces. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed to a crawl during the latest violence, with only three ships transiting the strait on Sunday, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence. The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said a tanker came under attack early Tuesday in the strait off Oman, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel.
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for the attack, as well as two other attacks on ships Monday in the waterway. The route around Oman has been the one the US military has encouraged ships to travel to avoid Iran's control. UKMTO separately reported Tuesday that another previously unknown attack on a ship took place early the previous day.
As diplomats sought to salvage the collapsed interim deal between Iran and the United States, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni began meetings with mediators in Pakistan on Tuesday. However, it remains unclear just what new arrangement could be reached to end the fighting.
Momeni met Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and later Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan's political leadership and Munir have worked to persuade the United States and Iran back to resume negotiations.
The US military has encouraged ships to travel around Oman, avoiding Iran's control. However, this has not stopped attacks from occurring. It is unclear what will happen next in this conflict as both sides continue to escalate their actions.
Written by: Boris Gulp | The Citizen Edition
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