US and Iran Trade 4th Wave of Strikes in a Week Over Strait of Hormuz Control
The United States and Iran have exchanged fresh military strikes for the fourth time in a week, with both sides claiming control of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that carries about 20% of the world's oil supply [194591][194775]. The renewed violence threatens to collapse a fragile 60-day ceasefire agreement signed on June 18, as neither Washington nor Tehran shows signs of backing down [193465][192494].
The latest escalation began Sunday when Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired on commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, using a sea route Iran had not "approved" [194591]. The United States responded with airstrikes on Iranian coastal defenses, missile storage sites, and military ships, targeting Qeshm Island, areas near Jask, and parts of Bushehr province [193465][194591]. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the goal was "to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian sailors and commercial ships passing freely through the Strait of Hormuz" [194591]. President Donald Trump ordered the strikes and later warned of further action, stating the coming operation "will hit them hard" [192099].
The conflict stems from fundamentally different interpretations of the June 18 memorandum of understanding, which gave both sides 60 days to negotiate a final peace deal [193465]. Iran argues it has the right to control the strait and has demanded ships ask for permission 48 hours in advance, using routes set by Iran's new "Strait Authority" that pass through its territorial waters [193465]. The United States insists the strait must remain open under international law and has threatened to reimpose a naval blockade if Iran does not guarantee free navigation [192855][193465].
Before the war, over 100 ships passed through the strait daily. Since the ceasefire, fewer than 30 ships a day have crossed [193465]. While oil traffic increased by 70% after the June 18 agreement, the International Energy Agency warns that global supply remains at risk without lasting peace [193465]. Some ships have attempted alternate routes through Oman's territorial waters, but that effort stalled after a cargo ship was hit by a projectile near Oman [193465].
Both the United States and Iran declared Monday that they control the Strait of Hormuz [194775]. The standoff has created a stalemate, with neither side gaining a clear advantage [194471]. Iran is betting that President Donald Trump will back down first, assuming the United States will avoid a direct confrontation that could spike oil prices and hurt the global economy [194730]. Analysts warn that any miscalculation—a stray missile or a collision at sea—could trigger a wider war [194730].
The renewed violence has strengthened the position of Iran's ultraconservative faction, which views any negotiation with Washington as a crime [192581]. Talks continue through regional mediators like Pakistan and Qatar, but major disputes over the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, and how to implement the memorandum of understanding remain unresolved [193465][194273]. The ceasefire, analysts say, is now hanging by a thread [192581].