It’s not over: fresh attacks and a crumbling ceasefire
A ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran has collapsed following retaliatory military strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions have escalated further amid the backdrop of the ongoing conflict and the death of Iran's second Supreme Leader.
Why it matters
The breakdown of this diplomatic agreement threatens regional stability in the Middle East and risks further military escalation between the U.S. and Iran.
(This article is part of the View From India newsletter curated by The Hindu’s foreign affairs experts. To get the newsletter in your inbox every Monday, subscribe here .)
“Fresh attacks” and “retaliatory strikes” appear to have become the theme of the enduring conflict in West Asia. Fragile to start with, it took just 20 days for the Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] between the United States and Iran, that promised to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and launch talks on outstanding issues including Iran’s nuclear programme, to begin unravelling.
The latest round of escalation was evident after the U.S. military attacked Iran on July 8, 2026, on the basis that Tehran struck three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait.
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