The US-Iran war could resume in the coming days unless a breakthrough is achieved soon in negotiations, Axios reported, citing a senior US official.
According to the publication, the situation is at a critical point, as the two-week ceasefire signed on April 8 expires in three days, and a date for new negotiations has not yet been set.
The situation around the Strait of Hormuz is critical and highly volatile, marked by retaliatory actions between Iran and the US.
After briefly declaring the strait open on April 17, Iran closed the passage again today. Tehran argued its decision as a response to the ongoing US naval blockade, specifically targeting Iranian ports.
President Donald Trump said, that the US blockade will remain in place until a “full deal” is reached with Iran. Washington insists that the strait should be free for international trade but will continue to restrict Iranian exports.
The announcement of the temporary opening yesterday led to a collapse in prices by more than 11%, but the new escalation creates uncertainty in the markets. Countries such as Pakistan are already experiencing severe consequences, including a surge in fuel prices and power outages.
Tensions escalated earlier in April 2026, with Iran initially halting traffic through the strategic route on April 8. The situation is also directly linked to the wider conflict in the Middle East, including the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
Washington is having serious difficulties in securing support from its traditional allies. Key NATO countries, such as Britain, France and Germany, refuse direct involvement in the conflict and limit access to their bases. This has led to threats from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to completely reevaluate the US relationship with the Alliance.
Recent attempts at a diplomatic solution, brokered by Pakistan in Islamabad, have failed. However, President Trump recently said that the US would seek to “take” Iran’s enriched uranium and take it out of the country, indicating a continued focus on Iran’s nuclear program even in a war situation.
The US is coordinating closely with Israel, while regional players such as Turkey have kept their distance. China continues to maintain economic ties with Iran but avoids direct military involvement.