The Middle East conflict sparked by Israeli-US strikes on Iran on 28 February crossed the 100-day mark this week. The conflict has caused severe economic damage to Gulf states as Iran responded to the attacks by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz to most shipping during the first days of the war, and has also carried out attacks on critical infrastructure across the region.
Hostilities were suspended following a 7 April ceasefire announcement (MEES, 10 April), although as the détente has dragged on tensions have steadily increased and tit-for-tat attacks have grown steadily more intensive. Iran has also linked Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah to the peace talks and launched attacks against Israel on 7 June in response to Israeli strikes against Beirut. Israel responded in kind, until both sides announced a cessation on 8 June. (CONTINUED - 601 WORDS)