Global markets and oil prices have fluctuated following new strikes exchanged between the United States and Iran, and as President Donald Trump suggested that fragile negotiations between the countries might be "over." The developments raise fears that the conflict could reignite.
At stake in the escalating tensions are the lives of Iranians and others throughout the region, including Israel and Lebanon, as well as foreign residents of Gulf nations, U.S. military personnel stationed in multiple countries, and thousands of mariners on ships traversing the Strait of Hormuz.
The timeline of the conflict and diplomatic efforts includes a series of significant events:
Following an attack on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials, sparking a war, Iran responded with strikes against Israel and across the Gulf region. Iran asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and natural gas supplies. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon entered the conflict by firing rockets at Israel, leading to an Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon.
Mojtaba, one of Khamenei's sons, was named the new supreme leader. He has reportedly been in hiding after being injured in the war's initial strikes.
A two-week ceasefire deal was reached, though Israel was not included in the discussions. The U.S. and Iran later engaged in face-to-face talks in Pakistan's capital but did not reach an agreement. President Trump announced a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports aimed at pressuring Tehran to relinquish control of the strait.
Lebanon and Israel held direct diplomatic talks in Washington. Iran announced the reopening of the strait to shipping, a move that proved temporary. Trump later announced he was indefinitely extending the ceasefire and initiated a U.S. effort to guide ships through the strait, which also did not last.
Israel's ground invasion of Lebanon deepened as Hezbollah continued to target northern Israel. Subsequently, Israel and Lebanon agreed to renew their ceasefire and establish security zones excluding Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah and Israel quickly resumed hostilities.
Iran fired on Israel, marking the first such bombardment since the early April ceasefire, and Israel retaliated.
Trump announced an interim deal with Iran, to be signed within days, which Iran insisted would also end the fighting in Lebanon. Trump later signed an agreement with Iran that stipulated Tehran would dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and included the waiver of U.S.-backed sanctions, allowing Iran to sell its oil freely.
Vice President JD Vance stated that new talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland had created a "good foundation for a successful final deal." Israel and Lebanon announced a U.S.-backed framework agreement, seen as a preliminary step toward peace.
Qatari mediators reported that U.S. and Iranian negotiators met separately and made "positive progress."
Iran's joint military command issued a warning that all oil tankers transiting the strait must use approved routes or face a "forceful response."
Iran began a dayslong funeral for the late Supreme Leader Khamenei. Talks with the U.S. concerning a final deal on the war and Iran's nuclear program were anticipated to resume after the mourning period.
Following an increase in traffic, Iran was accused of striking three ships in the strait. The U.S. responded by targeting dozens of sites in Iran and reinstating sanctions on Iranian oil sales. Iran's lead negotiator declared, "The era of bullying and extortion is over."
Trump's declaration that the ceasefire is "over" has heightened concerns about a potential resurgence of the war, although he indicated that negotiations could continue.