Trump declares ceasefire over as US and Iran exchange military strikes

U.S. And Iranian forces exchanged military strikes on Wednesday, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities over the Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump declared the interim ceasefire “over” and warned of further attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure. The renewed conflict has raised fears of a broader regional war, disrupted global energy markets, and intensified diplomatic tensions across the Middle East.

Trump’s remarks came after the U.S. Military launched a seven-hour wave of strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, including missile sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems. The attacks, part of a broader effort to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping, followed a series of Iranian strikes on U.S. Military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation, stating it aimed to “degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews.”

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on U.S. Bases, including a reported strike on Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan and a drone attack on Kuwait’s military facilities. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have destroyed U.S. Military infrastructure, though the Pentagon has not independently verified these assertions. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s air defenses intercepted 13 drones and two ballistic missiles, while Bahrain issued missile alerts. Iranian state media reported more than 30 killed in recent U.S. Strikes, though the U.S. Has not provided a confirmed casualty count.

Trump’s escalation of rhetoric included explicit threats to target Iran’s power plants and bridges, a move that could violate international humanitarian law. “Next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges,” he told Fox News, vowing to “knock out all their power plants” unless Tehran returned to negotiations. The president also reiterated plans to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports, a measure suspended under a June 2026 interim agreement. The blockade, which resumed on Tuesday, effectively halts ship traffic to and from Iranian coastal areas, further isolating the country economically.

Iran has responded by threatening to close additional global energy routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC warned that regional energy exports would be “for everyone or for no one,” signaling potential strikes on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical passage for Saudi oil shipments. Analysts note that Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen could be leveraged to disrupt this route, potentially driving global oil prices to $200 per barrel. The IRGC also accused the U.S. Of “illegal movements” in the region, declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed until “the end of America’s evils.”

The conflict has already sent oil prices soaring. Benchmark Brent crude surged 15% over the past week, reaching $85 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate hit a one-month high. The spike has exacerbated inflationary pressures in the U.S., where gasoline prices have climbed to record levels ahead of November’s congressional elections. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that prolonged hostilities could destabilize the global economy, particularly as many nations have depleted strategic oil reserves to cushion price shocks.

Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis have faltered. Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, dismissed the U.S. Blockade as a “mistake” and insisted Tehran would not return to negotiations under current conditions. Meanwhile, Gulf states like Qatar and the UAE have condemned the attacks on commercial vessels, with Qatar’s foreign ministry calling Iran “fully legally responsible” for the destruction of a Qatari natural gas tanker. The U.S. Has accused Iran of attacking seven commercial ships in the past week, though Iran denies the claims, attributing the strikes to U.S. Provocations.

Trump’s approach has drawn criticism from international bodies and allies. The United Nations shipping agency condemned his earlier proposal to impose a 20% transit fee on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a plan he later scrapped in favor of “investment agreements” with Gulf states. However, the U.S. Continues to block Iranian oil exports, a move that has deepened economic hardship in Iran. Despite the tensions, Trump has framed his actions as necessary to “protect American interests,” stating that “the only way you can negotiate with these people is through strength.”

As the conflict enters its fifth month, the prospects for a negotiated settlement remain uncertain. The U.S. And Iran remain locked in a cycle of retaliation, with both sides refusing to yield on core demands: Washington’s push to secure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s insistence on controlling its strategic waterways. With oil prices volatile and regional stability at risk, the world watches closely as the crisis threatens to spiral further out of control.