The fragile US-Iran ceasefire appears to be unravelling after the United States launched fresh airstrikes on Thursday, accusing Iran of attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington said the strikes targeted Iran’s ability to threaten one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, marking the latest military action despite the truce.

Hours later, missile alerts were triggered in Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait as Iran retaliated with strikes on US bases in the region, raising fears of another dangerous escalation.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared the ceasefire was “over”, adding that the military could “finish the job”, even as he insisted the strikes do not mark a return to a prolonged war.

Behind the scenes, Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are working to salvage the ceasefire and prevent a wider regional conflict.

The key question now is whether the latest exchange of strikes signals the beginning of a broader conflict that could threaten regional stability and disrupt global energy supplies yet again.

Published on July 9, 2026