Six months into Iran war, US shifts from strikes to sanctions
Why it matters: Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is still under attack, keeping oil volatile and raising political pressure on Donald Trump before the midterms.
Six months after the United States and Israel opened major combat operations against Iran, the conflict has hardened into a stalemate and Washington is leaning more on economic pressure than new military strikes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told allies fresh US attacks are unlikely for now, while the White House pushes tougher financial pressure on Tehran and its trading partners. The shift comes with no clear diplomatic breakthrough in sight: shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, peace efforts appear stalled, and analysts say neither side is ready to concede. The war has also hurt Donald Trump politically as higher gasoline prices weigh on voters and Republicans head toward November’s midterm elections.