# What's Happened So Far

The United States and Iran have been locked in military conflict since late February 2026, beginning with joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The war has centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route through which roughly 20 percent of the world's oil passes. The U.S. Navy imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and seized vessels carrying Iranian oil, while Iran restricted traffic through the waterway and attacked commercial shipping. The conflict has cost the Pentagon an estimated $38 billion, killed at least 21 American service members, and driven oil prices above $100 per barrel, contributing to record diesel prices and inflation across the United States.

Despite months of diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan, Qatar, and Oman, the two nations have made limited progress. A June memorandum of understanding establishing a 60-day negotiation period collapsed within weeks after renewed military strikes. Subsequent ceasefire attempts and peace proposals have repeatedly failed, with fundamental disagreements persisting over nuclear inspections, sanctions relief, and control of the Strait of Hormuz. As of early October, negotiations continue through regional mediators, but military operations persist. President Trump has suggested a resolution may come after November's midterm elections, while Iran has outlined seven conditions for reopening the waterway.