Iran Attacks 5 Gulf Nations, Trump Says Ceasefire 'Is Over'
The temporary US-Iran ceasefire has collapsed, triggering fresh attacks, rising oil prices, and fears of a wider Middle East conflict that could impact the global economy.
Last month, ISH News reported that the US and Iran had signed a 60-day ceasefire agreement in Switzerland. However, the ceasefire was temporary, and tensions have now escalated again.
On 8th July 2026, US President Donald Trump, speaking at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, said he did not want to deal with Iran anymore and called its leaders "scum." He also avoided giving a clear answer about the status of the Strait of Hormuz.
On 11th July, Iran attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming it lacked permission to pass through the area. A day later, the US launched strikes on 140 targets across Iran. President Trump declared that the Strait of Hormuz was open and strongly criticised Iran.
In response, Iran launched attacks on US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar and Oman. The UAE and Saudi Arabia were not targeted, but experts believe they could become targets if the conflict worsens.
Both countries are accusing each other of violating the June ceasefire agreement. Iran says it wants to expand its nuclear programme for self-defence, while the US opposes it, fearing nuclear weapons could threaten global security.
Iranian adviser Mohsen Rezaee said the Strait of Hormuz is more important than atomic bombs because disrupting it could affect global oil supplies. Following the recent attacks, global oil prices rose by around 4%.
India now relies more on Russian oil than on oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the proposed US Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 could impose a 500% tariff on countries that continue buying Russian oil. Experts say the US may also be trying to shift global dependence towards Venezuelan oil.
As tensions rise, political conflicts continue to impact global energy markets and ordinary people around the world.
