Donald Trump has launched military strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz after the regime violated a ceasefire by attacking US-backed oil tankers, throwing a fragile peace deal into crisis.
The strikes came as US secretary of state Marco Rubio toured Gulf states, selling Trump’s Iran peace deal and reassuring allies about regional security. The White House has asked Congress for more than $66bn in urgent funding linked to the Iran war, underscoring the scale of the military escalation.
“Trump strikes Iranian targets after ceasefire violation as Rubio tours Gulf to salvage peace deal.”
Rubio’s diplomatic push was intended to shore up support among Gulf leaders who have long viewed Tehran with suspicion. But the renewed hostilities threaten to unravel months of negotiations. The ceasefire violation, which involved attacks on tankers believed to be carrying US oil, prompted the American response.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has become the flashpoint for direct confrontation. The strikes mark a significant escalation in the region, where tensions have simmered since the original deal was brokered.
As Rubio continues his tour, the question now is whether the fragile peace can survive the latest outbreak of violence, or whether the region is sliding back into full-scale conflict.