The two countries traded attacks in the Strait two weeks ago after Trump announced, and then paused a day later, a U.S. mission to “guide” ships out of the Strait. Hostilities have continued: the U.S. carried out strikes on Iranian military facilities after Iran attacked U.S. warships in the Strait, while the United Arab Emirates reported suspected Iranian strikes. And Iran has in recent days suggested that it might next seek to impose control over the subsea cables running through its waters, which provide internet and transmit data to a number of countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.Even so, it would seem appetite for direct military engagement is low among Trump officials, as the U.S. has insisted that the cease-fire is on, even if Trump has said it is on “life support.” Trump’s decision to call off strikes on Monday suggests that, for all his threats, he is still hopeful of a deal that would avoid resuming the war.
Read the full article here
