How the second phase of the Iran-U.S. war started and why it is raging | Explained
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have escalated over the administration of the Strait of Hormuz following a failed Memorandum of Understanding. Iran is attempting to assert control through its Persian Gulf Strait Authority, while the U.S. and GCC nations are pushing back against potential transit tolls.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global maritime chokepoint; any disruption to transit rights could significantly impact global oil prices and international trade security.
The second phase of the Iran-U.S. war is being fought almost exclusively over the future of the Strait of Hormuz. The sequence of events leading to the restart of hostilities suggests there was no genuine meeting of minds when the MoU was signed. As before, by holding out and retaliating, Iran has forced the issue — shipowners now seem resigned to paying a “logical” toll, even as they worry about the precedent it sets for other straits.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in