How to stop US-Iran conflict from becoming endless war Submitted by Seyed Hossein Mousavian on Mon, 07/20/2026 - 16:16 The only credible path forward lies in diplomacy, which must focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and securing a nuclear agreement People walk past a mural that depicts missiles hitting an aircraft carrier, amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, in Tehran on 26 May 2026 (Atta Kenare/AFP) Off The 14-point memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the US in June appeared to offer the most significant diplomatic opening between the two countries since 1979. Yet before confidence-building measures could take hold, renewed military confrontation overwhelmed diplomacy. US President Donald Trump’s Iran deal collapsed, leaving Washington with few good options.
Over the past two weeks, clashes between the US and Iran have disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which more than 20 percent of global oil and gas shipments typically pass, contributing to renewed volatility in energy markets. Oil prices surged on Friday, with Brent crude reaching more than $88 a barrel, posting gains of over 16 percent to hit its highest level in more than a month. The fighting has also expanded now beyond direct US-Iran exchanges, highlighting the growing risk of a wider regional conflict.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The apparent shift in US strategy suggests a transition from seeking a rapid military victory, to pursuing a prolonged campaign of attrition - one designed to weaken Iran’s military capabilities, logistics, economic resilience, and domestic cohesion over time. The US recently reimposed its blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, in a move aiming to dismantle the Iranian economy. As the strategic focus moves towards the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, Washington appears to be emphasising sustained military pressure, maritime disruption, and enhanced protection of its regional forces, while allowing Israel time to rebuild its military capabilities.
Evolving campaign Trump’s recent statements about the US potentially “taking over” Kharg Island, together with reports that American and Israeli planners have considered supporting cross-border operations by Kurdish armed groups, suggest that their future strategy may increasingly combine conventional military pressure with efforts to disrupt Iran’s cr…
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