Escalation Continues as U.S. and Iran Face Off Over Hormuz

AI Summary

The U.S. and Iran are engaged in a heightened confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran attacking commercial vessels and the U.S. preparing for a possible extended military response. The duration and intensity of the conflict depend on Iran's next actions, with risks to shipping and regional security.

The United States is prepared for a continued exchange of fire with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the chokepoint, U.S. officials have told Axios, while both sides continued to trade strikes early on Thursday. The U.S. is prepared for an escalation that could last from a day or two to multiple weeks to get Iran to back down from attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. official told Axios. Iran’s next moves will determine how long and how severe the U.S. response will be, according…