The US and Iran have returned to a pattern of threats and military strikes, jeopardizing the fragile progress made in recent months.
The cycle, though familiar, carries grave consequences for global stability and humanitarian efforts.
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Escalation Resumes After Brief Lull
On Sunday, Tehran announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz again, a key waterway for global energy and fertilizer shipments.
The move came after Iran struck ships transiting the strait, prompting US retaliation.
The World Food Programme reports it is feeding 1.5 million fewer people this year due to the ongoing conflict.
Vulnerable nations are hit hardest, with an additional 2.5 million people in Somalia and 2.3 million in Afghanistan struggling to meet basic food needs.
The full impact on food production has yet to be felt, as soaring fertilizer prices have led many farmers to cut back on usage.
Remittances from migrant workers in the Gulf have dried up, hurting economies in Asia and Africa.
In Iran and Lebanon, thousands of civilians, including many children, have been killed, and essential infrastructure destroyed.
Iranians face deepening economic catastrophe, while the regime cracks down harder under the cover of war.
Tehran's retaliation has caused death and damage across the region. Consumers worldwide are paying more for energy and food.
Diplomatic Efforts Falter
With US midterms approaching, domestic pressure pushed President Trump to agree to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran, allowing 60 days to negotiate a broader deal.
