US and Iran Trade Fresh Strikes as July Ceasefire Collapses

The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has broken down, according to reporting from CNN, Al Jazeera and NBC News, with both sides trading strikes across the Middle East through the middle of July.

American forces carried out a fresh wave of strikes after President Donald Trump declared the truce “over,” US officials said, while Iran responded with fire aimed at Gulf military bases and at vessels in the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which a large share of the world’s seaborne oil passes.

Iran said it had struck two tankers in the strait, and Washington said several of its recent operations were intended to protect shipping in the area, according to live coverage of the conflict. The escalation has revived fears of a wider confrontation drawing in Gulf states.

How the truce unravelled

The agreement reached earlier in 2026 had paused months of hostilities, but it began to fray within weeks. A timeline compiled by ABC News traces a series of accusations and retaliations that steadily eroded confidence on both sides before the strikes resumed in early July.

Energy markets have watched the Strait of Hormuz closely, given its role in global crude flows. Analysts warn that sustained disruption there could ripple through fuel prices worldwide.

What happens next

Diplomatic channels remain open in principle, but neither side has signalled a return to the negotiating table. Regional governments and international bodies have urged restraint, warning that a prolonged exchange risks a humanitarian toll and a dangerous miscalculation.

This report is based on published coverage by CNN, Al Jazeera, NBC News and ABC News. New24 will update the story as the situation develops.