Iran War After 5 Weeks: Threats & Peace Efforts

Strait of Hormuz, Iran —(Map)

The US and Iran are both making efforts to find a peaceful way to end the war in Iran. But at the same time, US President Donald Trump has greatly raised tensions with threats of a massive attack on Iran’s bridges and power stations if Iran doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz.

Update: A temporary two-week ceasefire has been reached.

Five weeks after the US and Israel attacked Iran, the conflict has continued to grow larger and deadlier. Attacks by the US and Israel have continued to pound Iran daily.

Iran’s greatest strength is that it still controls the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas pass through this important waterway. Iran has closed the strait to most Western countries, which has driven up fuel prices worldwide.

Pakistan has been leading efforts to find a peaceful way to end the war. So far no deals have been reached. Some countries were pushing for a 45-day ceasefire. Iran rejected this idea, saying that it wanted to end the war permanently, not temporarily.

Iran has turned down a plan for a 45-day ceasefire, but suggested its own 10-point peace plan. Mr. Trump has threatened to destroy all of Iran’s bridges and power plants if Iran doesn’t open up the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday night. Above, Mr. Trump seen yesterday, speaking to reporters about the war.

Iran has now come up with its own 10-point peace plan. Mr. Trump called the plan “a significant [important] step”, but said that it was “not good enough”.

Despite the efforts to find a peaceful end to the war, Mr. Trump has again given Iran a deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz. Mr. Trump says that if Iran doesn’t open the strait by Tuesday night, the US will destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran.

Hitting targets like these, which mainly affect civilians, is generally considered a war crime. Mr. Trump says he is not worried about that.

Despite intense daily attacks from the US and Israel, Iran has shown that it still has the ability to fight back. Last Friday, Iran shot down two US fighter jets. A crew member from one of those jets was injured and stuck in Iran. On Sunday, the crew member was brought safely out of Iran after a large, complicated rescue mission.

The damage across the Middle East continues to grow. Iran claims that attacks by the US and Israel have now hit 30 of its universities. Israel has again attacked the South Pars field, which provides about 70% of Iran’s natural gas. Iran is still hitting nearby countries, striking at targets in Israel, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

Israel continues to attack Lebanon, where its target is the militant group, Hezbollah. Israel’s attacks are affecting the whole country. More than 1,400 people have been killed, and over a million people have been forced from their homes. Above, damage in Beirut, Lebanon after an Israeli airstrike yesterday.

Israel continues to fight a related war in Lebanon. Israel’s target in Lebanon is not the government or the people. It’s the Iran-supported militant group, Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon. But Israel’s attacks are affecting the whole country. More than 1,400 people have been killed, including many civilians. Over a million people have been forced from their homes.

Israel isn’t just bombing the country. It has also sent in soldiers and tanks to destroy homes and take over large parts of southern Lebanon. Israel now says it will stay in control of this area of Lebanon even after the war is over.
 

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Update: US, Israel, & Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire

On Tuesday night, the US, Israel, and Iran reached a temporary ceasefire agreement. Pakistan helped arrange the deal, which is expected to last for two weeks. During that time, all sides will stop their attacks. Iran has agreed to let ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire.

Pakistan is hoping that the two-week ceasefire will provide enough time for a more permanent peace deal to be reached.