Is this the most dangerous era of the Iran war?
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How did the US–Iran conflict escalate into a week of strikes and ceasefire collapse?
For more than a week, Donald Trump has ordered strikes against Iran in a worsening cycle of attacks, including on civilian infrastructure.
We hit them very hard again tonight. And we did that in honour of the probably three, it's probably three as opposed to two, great patriots.
Trump has defended the strikes as honouring the deaths of up to three American service members in an Iranian attack, but the real goal is to get the Strait of Hormuz open again, something that looks increasingly unlikely. So with the region once again on a knife's edge, the US appears locked back into an escalating war, unless the interim ceasefire deal can be salvaged. I'm Ruby Jones, and you're listening to 7am. Today, diplomatic correspondent at notice, Akbar Shahid Ahmed, on the threat of all-out war and who is really in charge of what happens next. It's Wednesday, July 22. So, Akbar, the United States has now carried out more than a week of strikes on Iran. American troops have been killed.
Iran is attacking US bases and allied countries. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has almost completely stopped. So take us through what's happened over the past few days and how close things are again now to an all-out war.
It's really been a stunning, stunning sort of spiral back into open conflict. Not an unpredictable one. Certainly whatever deal the U.S. and Iranians were able to reach in June was quite shaky. It depended on two sides that have more than 40 years of enmity, right? And a lot of that blood extending well beyond the Trump administration. However, what's happened sort of in this 10-day period where now is really focused on one specific issue and one specific dispute between the U.S. and Iran, which is the Strait of Hormuz. That's that strategic waterway between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran's southern coast, through which a large proportion, about a fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies travel in a normal time of peace.
The Trump administration and Iran are arguing over how this should be operated.
The battle to control the Strait of Hormuz continues as the United States launches its seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran.
What role does the Strait of Hormuz play in the US objective and regional tensions?
Under no circumstances and in no way we will allow the United States as a foreign and extra-regional country to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz.
Breaking news. The Pentagon says two U.S. service members are dead and a third is missing after Iranian attacks in Jordan.
Another wave of strikes against Iran marking the 10th consecutive night of attacks. Explosions have been reported.
So it's really been a bit of an escalating tit for tat. And that's what experts on conflict are really worried about in a period like this, where you just can't wind things down. You only keep ratcheting up.
And so tell me a bit more about the targets hit, because Donald Trump has long threatened the mass targeting of civilian infrastructure. Back in April, he threatened what he called power plant and bridge day.
Every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again. I mean, complete. So is that what we're seeing here?
Look, the Trump administration has been quite clear about their view of international law. International law, including the law of war, says you cannot target civilian infrastructure. However, President Trump has really openly said, well, I don't really think these rules apply to the U.S.
I don't need international law.
Do you feel your administration needs to abide by international law on the global stage?
Yeah, I do. You know, I do. But it depends what your definition of international law is, Martin.
And so, yes, we are now seeing the U.S. target civilian infrastructure.
Which civilian targets have been struck and could these be violations of international law?
The Iranians have come back, though, and talked about several areas of civilian infrastructure that they say have been hit, including five bridges, an airport and a railway station, and that eight people were killed in these attacks. The U.S. has not commented on these allegations.
Are these potential war crimes? Certainly international law experts and people inside the government, Ruby, who I've spoken with, are concerned about that risk.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
How did the US–Iran conflict escalate into a week of strikes and ceasefire collapse?
0:00–2:32
2
What role does the Strait of Hormuz play in the US objective and regional tensions?
2:32–4:01
3
Which civilian targets have been struck and could these be violations of international law?
4:01–7:47
4
What strategic goals is the Trump administration claiming versus what seems to be happening?
7:47–11:50
5
Can the US ‘bomb its way’ to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and is a military solution feasible?
11:50–15:15
6
How is the ‘madman theory’ shaping Trump’s Iran policy and who else is influencing decisions?
15:15–18:01
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