The U.S. launched strikes on Iran early Tuesday morning, hours after President Donald Trump said Washington is “reinstating” a blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
Here’s what we’re following:The U.S. military said it will resume its blockade of Iranian ports on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to reinstate it and charge ships for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. launched more strikes on Iran earlier Tuesday, building on days of mutual attacks over control of the strait, through which a fifth of all traded crude oil and natural gas passed in peacetime. Iran retaliated with attacks on Middle East allies of the U.S.The actions leave the deal to pause the conflict and reopen the key waterway in tatters, as fighting once again engulfs the region under the threat of all-out war. Regional mediators are still trying to get the U.S. and Iran back to the negotiating table, according to two regional officials.In Washington, Trump will welcome new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the White House after strongly backing the political novice’s bid for office. The issue of Iran is likely to loom large: Iraq has been under pressure to disarm a network of Iran-backed militias operating in the country, some of which attacked U.S. bases and diplomatic facilities.
