U.S. President Donald Trump believes Iran is not holding up its part of an agreement with the U.S. because oil tankers have not been given free passage through the Strait of Hormuz since a ceasefire came into effect. Trump wants help to open the Strait of Hormuz for oil traffic and has warned that the future for NATO could become dark if allies do not assist. He threatened to bomb Iran's power plants if it does not fully open the strait within 48 hours. According to www.republicworld.com, Trump described any Iranian effort to impede oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz as being met with massive U.S. military retaliation, with a response twenty times harder than previous engagements.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, driving up oil and gas prices worldwide. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical energy transit points in the world, carrying about one-fifth of global oil shipments. Iranian strikes on commercial ships have slowed shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to a trickle. Oil prices have seen a sharp increase since the start of the war with Iran and are fluctuating around $100 per barrel, according to other sources. The exact operational status of the strait remains unclear, with contradictory reports on whether it is open or closed, a key uncertainty affecting global energy markets.
NATO leaders rejected Trump's call to get involved in the war against Iran. Germany said NATO has 'nothing to do' with the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and it is not NATO's war, according to a German chancellor spokesperson. Japan, Australia, and the UK said they had no plans to send naval ships to the Strait of Hormuz, according to government officials. France, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Australia refused to join U.S. efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Germany's defence minister said 'This is not our war' and questioned what European frigates could do that the U.S. navy cannot. NATO allies are declining to join a potential U.S. effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. European allies have shown little willingness to join a U.S.-led military effort against Iran in the strait.
European Council President António Costa called Trump's threats to bomb Iranian civil infrastructure illegal under international law. He also urged Iran to cease attacks in the region and allow free shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain called for an EU-wide tax on energy companies' excess profits due to the war, according to finance ministers. This diplomatic and legal pushback highlights Europe's focus on economic and legal measures rather than military involvement.
Iran launched fresh attacks against U.S. targets in the Gulf on Tuesday. It attacked the British-American military base Diego Garcia with two ballistic missiles, missing the target. Iran launched missiles on Israel overnight, showing it retains long-range strike capacity. Rockets and at least five drones targeted the U.S. embassy in Baghdad early on Tuesday. Iran targeted the United Arab Emirates, forcing temporary airspace closure and hitting an oil facility in Fujairah. A tanker anchored off the UAE's eastern coast was hit by a projectile early Tuesday morning. A kindergarten in Rishon LeZion, Israel, was destroyed in a rocket attack attributed to Iran.
The U.S. and Israel have kept pummeling military targets in Iran's capital. Trump pressured Israel to slow down attacks on Lebanon to avoid thwarting peace talks with Iran, according to multiple reports. A U.S. official confirmed talks between Israel and Lebanon on ending hostilities with Hezbollah will start next week in Washington. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there is no ceasefire in Lebanon and Israel continues to strike Hezbollah with full force. This coordination reflects complex U.S.-Israeli dynamics amid ongoing hostilities.
The Pentagon requested $200 billion for the war in Iran as Trump considers deploying more troops. The U.S. spent around $3.7 billion in the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury, rising to $11 billion in the first week, according to multiple reports. The U.S. is sending another 5,000 Marines and sailors to the region. According to www.republicworld.com, Trump described the military campaign as 'Operation Epic Fury,' indicating the scale of U.S. financial and personnel commitments.
Iranians have taken to the streets in cities across Iran after Trump's threats, according to major media reports. Iran's foreign minister confirmed the country is receiving military help from Russia and China. Russia's president Vladimir Putin expressed support for Iran, calling Russia a 'loyal friend and reliable partner.' This domestic and external support underscores Iran's resilience and international alliances amid the conflict.
At least six ships have been hit by projectiles or explosive-laden boats in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf. About 20 vessels in the region have come under attack since the Iran war started. These incidents highlight the ongoing risks to shipping in the strategically vital area, contributing to the slowdown in oil transit.
Tehran rejected a 15-point U.S. plan for a ceasefire. The U.S. temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea to lower oil prices, according to multiple reports. According to www.iranintl.com, Trump described the U.S. will temporarily lift certain oil-related sanctions on unnamed countries to help bring down prices. These diplomatic and economic moves indicate efforts to manage oil markets despite the stalemate in ceasefire talks.
Sweden joined countries willing to contribute to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, but actions are limited to statements so far, according to the Swedish Foreign Minister. The United Kingdom has ruled out sending warships into the Strait of Hormuz or nearby Iranian waters. British officials have discussed using minesweeping drones for limited support in the strait. The UK deployed HMS Dragon to protect its military base in Cyprus and is discussing options with allies for regional security, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. The extent of international naval support remains uncertain, with Sweden showing willingness but many key allies refusing, indicating limited coalition backing for U.S. military actions.
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is in its third week. Trump was warned before the war that attacking Iran could trigger strikes against U.S. Gulf allies. He was briefed that Tehran would likely seek to close the Strait of Hormuz. According to al24news.dz, Trump described Iran's strikes against Middle East neighbors as a surprise, suggesting intelligence assessments may have underestimated Iranian responses.
More than 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon due to the conflict. Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed and about 200 wounded. The overall death toll in the conflict remains unconfirmed, with conflicting reports of at least 2,000 overall versus specific country figures totaling over 2,192, adding to the human cost uncertainties.
Iran accused the U.S. and Israel of attacking the nuclear facility in Natanz. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran's new ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is 'injured and likely disfigured' after a bombing. Drone footage appears to show the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, released by a pro-Iran Shiite militia. The true extent of damage to Iran's military capabilities is unclear, with claims of 100% destruction by Trump, according to Daily Mail - News, contradicted by evidence of ongoing Iranian attacks, raising questions about the conflict's progress.