Trump called Iran’s bluff. Tehran is still trying to play him

US and Iran Agree to Resume Talks as Ceasefire Collapses in Strait of Hormuz Crisis

The United States has stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial traffic following the breakdown of a ceasefire with Iran. Recent reports indicate that Iranian officials directed Houthi forces to respond if U.S. strikes target Iranian infrastructure. The developments follow the end of a 60-day memorandum of understanding between the two countries and the resumption of U.S. military operations.

President Donald Trump announced on July 10, 2026, that Iran had requested continued talks and that the United States had agreed, while declaring the ceasefire over. On July 11, he notified Congress of the resumption of U.S. strikes on Iranian targets. The ceasefire period had run from April 8 to July 8, 2026, during which both sides conducted operations that violated the terms, according to statements from U.S. Central Command and Iranian military sources.

The memorandum of understanding, signed in early May 2026, called for a temporary halt in certain military activities and the opening of limited diplomatic channels. Eighteen days after its signing, Iranian forces launched missiles and drones toward U.S. positions in Kuwait and Bahrain. Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval units stated that U.S. bases would face further action. U.S. officials described the launches as violations of the agreement.

During the same period, Iranian naval forces targeted five commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping industry reports and U.S. Defense Department statements. Hezbollah forces conducted strikes on northern Israel shortly after the ceasefire ended on July 8. Israeli authorities issued evacuation notices for areas including Nahariya and Kiryat Shmona.

U.S. military operations since the ceasefire collapse have included strikes on Iranian naval assets, the Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities by B-2 bombers, and air defense and missile production sites. CENTCOM reported degradation of Iranian air defenses and production capacity. Iranian officials have stated that further U.S. strikes would prompt responses through allied groups.

Historical U.S. casualty figures cited in connection with Iranian-backed actions include 241 service members killed in the 1983 Beirut bombing and at least 603 troops killed by Iran-supported militias in Iraq between 2003 and 2011. Additional attacks on U.S. forces have been reported since 2023. Iranian state media have described U.S. military presence in the region as hostile and have referenced past statements calling for opposition to American policy.

The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action resulted in the release of previously frozen Iranian assets in exchange for nuclear restrictions. U.S. assessments later concluded that Iran had advanced its nuclear program during and after that period. The current round of talks follows these prior diplomatic efforts and the recent military exchanges.

Iranian leaders have maintained public positions opposing U.S. policy since 1979, including statements at official events. Sixty-three members of Iran’s Assembly of Experts issued a statement in 2025 describing action against the U.S. president as a religious duty. U.S. officials have cited these positions as evidence that negotiations occur alongside ongoing confrontation.

The Strait of Hormuz carries approximately 20 percent of global oil trade. Both the United States and Iran have issued statements asserting rights to freedom of navigation while accusing the other side of interference. Iranian officials have linked their naval posture to U.S. sanctions and military deployments in the region.

Dalia Ziada is an Egyptian writer and analyst who has written on Middle East security issues.