US and Iran intensify daily strikes over Strait of Hormuz, diplomatic options remain limited
The United States and Iran have resumed daily bombings in the Persian Gulf as both sides seek control of the Strait of Hormuz, while officials say diplomatic channels are still open but hampered by mistrust.
The United States and Iran have resumed daily airstrikes targeting each other in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil-shipping corridor, as both sides attempt to assert control. The renewed fighting has undone a recent interim cease-fire, resulted in additional American casualties and pushed U.S. gasoline prices higher.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Iran continues to send signals it wants to negotiate, but its missile and drone attacks on ships compel a U.S. response. “The United States always remains open to a diplomatic solution, and we’ve tried multiple times with Iran, and we’ll continue to try,” he said.
Analysts say the escalation reflects a misreading of Iran’s motivations and a reliance on air power that may have limited effectiveness. Mona Yacoubian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies warned that further escalation could reduce any chance for diplomatic breakthroughs. Christopher Preble of the Stimson Center noted that while the U.S. can continue bombing, ground operations would be politically unpopular, and air strikes alone have historically failed to compel Iran’s capitulation.
Former officials and scholars echoed the view that past campaigns, such as the 13,000 targets hit in the early weeks of the conflict, did not force Iran to surrender. Retired Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall compared the situation to Vietnam, emphasizing that air power typically needs to be combined with ground and naval forces to achieve lasting results.
Despite the military pressure, both sides have shown limited gestures toward dialogue. Yacoubian cited recent measured statements from President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a U.S. service-member killing in Jordan, and Iran’s release of an Iranian-American woman as potential signs of goodwill. However, analysts warned that broader regional actions, such as a possible maritime embargo by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, could further destabilize global trade.