U.S. and Israeli Strikes Weaken Iran's Military as Ceasefire Negotiations Continue

Four months after President Donald Trump ordered strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, a fragile ceasefire is being negotiated while the war’s human and economic toll continues to rise. Government reports say the conflict has killed 13 U.S. service members, 26 Israelis, about 3,500 Iranians—including more than 100 children in a school strike—and a similar number in Lebanon.

U.S. and Israeli attacks have severely damaged Iran’s navy and air-defense network and have degraded its ballistic-missile arsenal, though Tehran retains smaller vessels, drones, missiles and mines that can still threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The partial reopening of the strait for 60 days has helped lower U.S. gasoline prices, which fell below $4 per gallon after peaking in May, but analysts say full normalization of energy and commodity markets will take months.

Domestic opinion in the United States is largely critical of the war. A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted June 17-19 found 57% of respondents believed the conflict has created more problems than it has solved. The war has also exposed rifts within the former MAGA coalition, with some Republican commentators and lawmakers describing the engagement as a foreign-policy misstep. Senate and House votes in early June to halt military operations were largely symbolic but reflected growing congressional scrutiny.

Relations with Israel have become strained over the ceasefire terms. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed concerns that the draft agreement does not sufficiently address Iran’s missile capabilities or nuclear program, while President Trump has defended the operation as a safeguard for Israel.

Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear activities remain inconclusive. Vice President JD Vance said Iran had agreed to allow United Nations inspectors back to damaged nuclear sites, a claim Iran’s officials have denied. The United States and Iran continue to exchange differing accounts of progress in these talks.

The conflict’s broader impact includes an estimated $132 billion cost to American consumers and taxpayers from higher prices, interest-rate hikes and military spending, according to Moody’s Analytics. Economists warn that the full economic repercussions may persist well beyond the current ceasefire window.