THE NEW YORK TIMES: US-Iran war enters sixth month and a period of greater uncertainty
Donald Trump declared the war would be over in three weeks, instead it has led to staggering human loss, devastated Iran’s infrastructure and cost billions.
Soon after the war began February 28, President Donald Trump declared that Iran was “totally defeated and wants a deal”.
Then in March, Mr Trump said the US military would wrap up its campaign against Iran in two to three weeks.
“We will be leaving very soon,” he said.
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The cycles of fighting have resulted in staggering losses.
An estimated 1700 Iranian civilians have been killed in air strikes, which have devastated Iran’s infrastructure and deepened the country’s economic crisis.
Eighteen US service members have died in the war, which the Pentagon estimates has cost $37.5 billion.
Here’s a rundown of the biggest moments of the war and some of its deadliest incidents.
February
After the United States and Israel launch the war, Iran begins firing on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closing the waterway and sending oil prices skyrocketing around the world.
February 28: In the opening barrage of the war, a salvo of Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from US Navy warships kills 175 people at an elementary school in Minab, in southern Iran, most of whom are children.
A new type of US weapon called the Precision Strike Missile hits a sports hall, a school and two residential areas in southern Iran, killing 21 people.
The White House and Pentagon have not publicly acknowledged responsibility for either attack.
March
On March 1, the second day of combat, Iran attacks US military facilities across the region with medium-range ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones. An Iranian attack drone kills six US Army soldiers in Kuwait.
March 1: Three US Air Force F-15 warplanes are shot down by Kuwaiti air defences in an apparent friendly fire incident. All crew members are rescued.
March 4: A Navy submarine torpedoes an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, likely killing more than 100 Iranian sailors. Iran calls it an “atrocity at sea”.
March 7: A US Army soldier dies of wounds suffered in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
March 12: Six US airmen are killed when their KC-135 aerial refuelling tanker crashes in western Iraq.
March 31: Mr Trump says the United States will be out of Iran in two or three weeks.
The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the United States, which according to AAA had been $2.98 before the war, jumps to $3.98.
April
In early April, another F-15 is shot down — this time over Iran. The pilot is quickly rescued, but the jet’s weapons systems officer is rescued later. Multiple US aircraft were destroyed in the second rescue operation, which involved hundreds of Special Operations troops and other military personnel. Another US warplane, an A-10 Warthog, crashes and the pilot is rescued.
April 6: US Central Command, which directs military operations in the Middle East, says the US has hit more than 13,000 targets in Iran. It is the last update Central Command offers on the numbers of targets struck until air strikes resume in earnest in July.
April 7: Mr Trump announces a ceasefire.
April 11: Vice President JD Vance says the two sides have failed to reach a peace deal after 21 hours of talks in Pakistan.
April 12: The US announces a blockade of Iranian ports.
April 19: A US destroyer fires on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Arabian Sea, and Marines seize the vessel. It is believed to be the first vessel that has tried to evade the US-imposed blockade.
April 21: Mr Trump extends the ceasefire.
The US national average price for regular unleaded gasoline rises to $4.30 per gallon.
May
May 3: Mr Trump announces “Project Freedom” to help stranded civilian merchant ships leave the Strait of Hormuz. The President is forced to pause the operation after less than 48 hours.
May 5: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, give a briefing to reporters on the Iran war. They have not given any since then.
May 7: Mr Trump says his ceasefire is still in effect.
May 10: Mr Trump rejects an offer from Iran to return to peace talks.
May 13: The Congressional Research Service says the US military has suffered losses or damage to 42 warplanes, helicopters and drones in the war.
May 23: Mr Trump says a peace deal is near.
In the three weeks leading up to the end of March, Central Command said it had guided around 70 commercial ships through the strait using a new route that hews tightly to the Omani coastline.
The national average for regular unleaded gasoline is $4.42 per gallon.
June
Mr Trump began the month by saying peace negotiations with Iran are “very boring” and told a news outlet that he “couldn’t care less” if those talks with Iran break down.
June 11: The President again claims a peace deal is near.
June 14: The White House and Tehran reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz but leave the issue of Iran’s nuclear program unresolved. Mr Trump says the strait will be “permanently toll-free”.
June 17: Text of the “memorandum of understanding” between the US and Iran is released. But its language is vague, and the two sides have contradictory interpretations.
June 20: Mr Vance departs Washington for more peace talks.
June 22: Mr Trump eases US economic sanctions on Iranian oil.
June 23: Iran attacks a commercial ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Over the next two days, US forces launch air strikes in response.
By the end of the month, the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline falls to $3.91.
July
July 1: The month begins with news that a US Navy helicopter has made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea. Days later, the senior aviator aboard is declared lost at sea.
July 4: The Pentagon launches an air show of warplanes, helicopters and parachutists over the National Mall in Washington. The event continues even after an evacuation is ordered because of the threat of extreme weather.
July 8: US forces launch new air strikes against Iran, hours after Mr Trump said he thought a three-week-old ceasefire between the two countries was “over”.
July 9: Iran launches medium-range ballistic missiles at Jordan. Central Command says it has struck 170 targets during the first 48 hours of renewed attacks.
July 11: Mr Trump orders more air strikes after Iran attacks a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
July 13: Mr Trump threatens to impose fees on ships passing through the strait and reimposes a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
July 17: Three US Army soldiers are killed by an Iranian attack on a military base in Jordan.
July 18: One US Army soldier is killed during the disposal of an Iranian drone in northern Iraq.
July 26: The Pentagon changes the way it tallies casualties from the war, reporting a total of 624 US service members wounded and 18 deaths.
Across the United States, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas rises to $4.11.
After nearly two weeks of attacks by both sides, the war has remained on pause for several days.
Originally published on The New York Times
