The conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has entered another dangerous phase with renewed fighting following months of strikes fragile ceasefires and unsuccessful diplomatic efforts.
The latest chapter began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched a major military campaign against Iran. US President Donald Trump described the operation as a “major combat operation,” while Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and US-linked targets across the region.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during the opening phase of the conflict after which his son, Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran’s new supreme leader.
After weeks of fighting, Washington and Tehran agreed to a temporary ceasefire on April 8 following mediation efforts involving Pakistan. The truce however, failed to produce a lasting settlement. US and Iranian representatives subsequently held discussions including meetings in Islamabad, Switzerland and other locations but major disagreements remained unresolved.
By June diplomatic efforts were still underway alongside intermittent military incidents. The two sides reached a preliminary understanding but tensions over sanctions Iran’s nuclear programme and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz continued to complicate negotiations.
The situation deteriorated again in July after attacks involving commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Washington launched fresh strikes against Iranian targets while Tehran responded with attacks on US-linked positions and regional targets. The fragile ceasefire effectively unravelled as both sides resumed military action.
Six months into the conflict the US and Iran remain locked in a cycle of military retaliation and stalled diplomacy with the Strait of Hormuz continuing to be a major flashpoint.
