U.S.–Iran war enters new phase as ceasefire efforts falter
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Military pressure and diplomatic maneuvering intensified over the past 24 hours in the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, as Tehran rejected a U.S. ceasefire proposal while limited maritime traffic resumed through the Strait of Hormuz under new Iranian security controls.
Iran’s state media said Tehran formally dismissed Washington’s offer for a temporary halt in hostilities, insisting that any agreement must address broader strategic demands, including sanctions relief, security guarantees, and post-war reconstruction.
Iranian officials conveyed their response through diplomatic channels, emphasizing that a permanent settlement — not a short truce — is required.
In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump said that negotiations remain active but difficult, warning that failure to reach progress could lead to expanded strikes on Iranian infrastructure.
Disagreements persist over Iran’s nuclear activities, ballistic missile program, and the status of maritime navigation in the Gulf.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that around a dozen commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz in the last day under a newly announced security framework enforced by Iran’s navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Shipping activity remains far below pre-war levels, but the development signals an attempt to partially restore controlled maritime movement through one of the world’s most strategic oil routes.
Field reports and monitoring groups indicated continued air and missile strikes across several Iranian provinces, with damage reported to energy and industrial facilities.
The intensity of strikes in recent days is described as among the highest since the war began, underscoring that diplomatic contacts have not translated into de-escalation on the ground.
The current war is the culmination of decades of hostility between the two countries, rooted in events dating back to the 20th century.
Iranian mistrust toward Washington traces in part to the 1953 coup backed by the U.S. and Britain against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, followed by U.S. support for the rule of the shah. Relations collapsed entirely after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the U.S. embassy hostage crisis in Tehran.
Tensions deepened in recent years over Iran’s nuclear program. The 2015 nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action sought to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, but its collapse reopened a cycle of sanctions, accusations, and regional confrontation.
Beyond the nuclear file, the two sides have long clashed indirectly across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen through rival alliances and proxy actors. These confrontations, combined with disputes over Gulf security and freedom of navigation, laid the groundwork for repeated escalations that ultimately tipped into direct war in 2026.
As negotiations continue amid ongoing strikes, the situation remains volatile, with global markets and regional actors closely watching developments around the Gulf.