U.S. Escalates Airstrikes in Iran as Ceasefire Collapses; Technical Talks Persist

The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered a period of intensified combat after President Trump formally ended a 60-day performance-based ceasefire. The decision followed Iranian naval attacks on three commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the U.S. launched two consecutive nights of heavy airstrikes, hitting approximately 170 targets including air defenses, drone storage, and naval logistics. Iranian state media reports at least 14 fatalities from the strikes, which coincided with the burial of Ayatollah Khamenei. Despite the surge in military hostilities, a significant diplomatic back-channel remains open. U.S. officials confirmed that 'technical talks' with Iranian counterparts are still ongoing, even as President Trump warned of 'much worse' consequences if maritime interference continues. This dual-track approach suggests that while the formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is considered void due to 'unacceptable' Iranian performance, Washington is maintaining a negotiation lifeline to prevent a total regional collapse. The escalation has caused immediate economic disruption. Tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has come to a complete standstill, leading to a sharp rise in global gas prices. Regional stability is further pressured as Iran retaliated by targeting U.S. allies in Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq with missile strikes. Military analysts note that the current U.S. air campaign is significantly larger than previous rounds, signaling a shift toward a more aggressive stance in the strategic waterway.