Iran Ceasefire On The Brink: Why Is Trump Bombing Tehran Again?

Last Updated:June 11, 2026, 14:33 IST

The fragile truce between the US and Iran faced a serious threat after the US launched attacks on several Iranian targets following the downing of an AH-64 Apache helicopter.

A few days ago, there were hopes of a quick end to the US-Iran war in the Gulf. Now, the shaky ceasefire, brokered painstakingly after weeks of negotiations, is under threat again with both sides exchanging fire after US President Donald Trump expressed frustration over Tehran’s response to a peace deal.

The escalation in hostilities began after Iran shot down a US Apache helicopter gunship, for which Trump vowed retaliation. The US launched waves of attacks on multiple Iranian targets on Wednesday, accusing the Islamic Republic of not making a deal and “tapping us along".

Iran retaliated swiftly by launching counterattacks on 18 US military targets at airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said it had also targeted the al-Azraq air base in Jordan, firing 12 ballistic missiles at the US facility.

Iran Ceasefire In Danger

The renewed hostilities pose the most serious threat to a ceasefire agreed upon in April and weakened hopes that the war that has heavily disrupted global crude markets would come to an end after repeated assurances from Trump.

Instead, oil prices rose nearly $3 after Trump threatened to launch more attacks if Iran failed to strike a deal. On the other hand, Iran said it had closed the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, for all vessels.

The ceasefire was tested after Iran and Israel traded air attacks over the weekend following an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon. The attacks also raised doubts about Trump’s ability to control the situation at a crucial juncture.

Why Is Trump Bombing Iran?

According to reports, Trump is close to ordering new attacks on Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate. He has accused Iran of delaying negotiations and repeated previous statements that their military was completely finished.

The new US attacks reveal that Trump is increasingly frustrated on Iran’s refusal to accept his terms on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending its nuclear programme, CNN reported. The new attacks showed that Trump sees aggression as the only alternative to pressure Iran into a deal.

Even last year, Trump’s attempts for diplomatic solutions have ended in military confrontation. In June 2025, the US joined Israel in bombing Iran’s underground nuclear sites even while talks were underway. He also lost patience with the laborious diplomatic process in February, when he launched coordinated attacks on Iran.

Will Trump’s Strategy Work?

Trump’s move is fraught with risks. Previous instances have shown that every time he uses force, the situation becomes more likely to spiral out of his control. This strategy also reinforces Iran’s stubbornness and mistrust of the US, leading them to believe that Trump cannot be trusted with any deal.

Dan Shapiro, former US Ambassador to Israel, said the recent strikes showed that Iran has the leverage in the negotiations with the Trump administration. “It is Trump that is desperate for them to sign the agreement, as his statements reveal, and Iran that is dragging their feet," he told The Guardian.

Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN that Iran retains the capacity to destroy energy infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates or Qatar in retaliatory attacks. It could also order Houthi rebels in Yemen to block the Red Sea oil exporting routes.

Officials now fear that the recent strikes risk a broader escalation of hostilities across the region with Iran believing that it still holds the cards. On the other hand, Trump is under increasing political heat due to the severe economic damage caused by the war.

About the Author

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int...Read More

News world Iran Ceasefire On The Brink: Why Is Trump Bombing Tehran Again?

Read More