The United States launched a second consecutive day of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, escalating tensions and deepening a breach in a three-week-old "memorandum of understanding" between the two countries. The move follows Iran's attacks on multiple ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
In response to Iran's actions, the U.S. struck Iranian targets on Tuesday. Iran retaliated with strikes in Kuwait and Bahrain, both of which host U.S. military installations. The U.S. also reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil on Tuesday, cutting off a newly established income source for the Iranian regime.
President Donald Trump, speaking at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, stated, "I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum."
The situation has disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to rising oil prices, according to CNN. This development could impact gas prices, which had been falling after the initial ceasefire agreement. With the midterm elections approaching and economic concerns among voters, falling gas prices had been a potential political advantage for the Trump administration.
This is not the first instance of U.S. strikes on Iranian targets since the "memorandum of understanding" was reached in mid-June, which theoretically outlined a 60-day path toward a more permanent deal. The context also includes ongoing issues such as the status of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program, and the conflict between Israel and Lebanon.