US Prepares for Potential Multi-Day Exchange of Fire with Iran

The White House is preparing for what could become a multi-day or even multi-week exchange of fire with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. A US official said the current escalation could last a day or two, a week or a month, depending on whether Iran continues its attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US launched a second round of strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, including attacks on infrastructure targets inside Iran for the first time in months. Iran retaliated with attacks on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, while insisting it would not back down from its claim to control the strait.

President Trump signaled the US was ready to de-escalate, telling reporters on Air Force One that Iranian officials had called and want to make a deal. However, it was unclear what call Trump was referring to, and Iranian officials did not immediately confirm any direct outreach.

The issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring freedom of navigation for commercial ships has become a central goal for the Trump administration, mainly to stabilize global energy markets. For Iran, maintaining control over the strait has become a key objective in any deal to end the war.