US launches strikes in retaliation for downing of US army helicopter, while White House source says deal could still be close

The future of peace talks in the Middle East have been thrown into question after Iran’s foreign ministry said it needed to “reassess” its participation, while Donald Trump said Iran would have to “pay the price” after the two countries traded fire overnight, drawing neighbouring states back into an on-and-off war that has consumed the region since late February.

The US launched strikes against Iran in the early hours of Wednesday morning in retaliation for what it said was Iran’s downing of a US army helicopter near the strait of Hormuz. Iran then launched a wave of retaliatory airstrikes claiming hits on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.

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As the Iran war drags on, Oman — a U.S. ally and mediator with Iran — has found itself at odds with the Trump administration and some of its own neighbors.

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The U.S. military started what it called "self-defense strikes" against Iran for the downing of an Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump said the two crew members were both "safe and uninjured" after the Apache helicopter went down while on patrol off the coast of Oman. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest with Dan Lamothe of The Washington Post.

It's the world's largest humanitarian crisis, yet aid groups say it has received far too little attention. As Sudan's civil war enters its fourth year, nearly two out of every five people face emergency-level hunger and humanitarian officials warn the crisis has been compounded by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Nick Schifrin reports. A warning, some images in this story are disturbing.

None of the participants in the recent wars of the Middle East can claim victory. All are to blame.

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US president blames Tehran for loss of Apache gunship, whose crew were rescued by a drone near strait of Hormuz

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The US has launched strikes against Iran after Donald Trump blamed Tehran for downing a US army helicopter near the strait of Hormuz, imperilling a shaky ceasefire that was announced by the two countries in April.

The attacks triggered a wave of retaliatory strikes from Iran on Wednesday morning, with Tehran saying it had targeted Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.

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© Photograph: US Central Command

© Photograph: US Central Command

© Photograph: US Central Command

The Middle East conflict has caused global stockpiles of oil to plummet to their lowest level since 2003 while petroleum prices have spiked, according to a new energy data report.

The Middle East conflict has caused global stockpiles of oil to plummet to their lowest level since 2003 while petroleum prices have spiked, according to a new energy data report.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright predicted Tuesday that the amount oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz will “continue to rise” as the U.S. and Iran work to end the 100-plus day conflict. During an Atlantic Council event, Wright said that traffic through the strait, a key oil shipping chokepoint, was “rising very meaningfully.” He added that oil…

Energy Secretary Chris Wright predicted Tuesday that the amount oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz will “continue to rise” as the U.S. and Iran work to end the 100-plus day conflict. During an Atlantic Council event, Wright said that traffic through the strait, a key oil shipping chokepoint, was “rising very meaningfully.” He added that oil…

President Trump on Tuesday blamed Iran for shooting down an American Apache helicopter overnight and said a response was necessary.  “I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on his social…

President Trump on Tuesday blamed Iran for shooting down an American Apache helicopter overnight and said a response was necessary.  “I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on his social…

Trump said in a social media post that military officials told him "the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters." He added that both service members "are safe and uninjured."

Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday said the U.S. could reopen the Strait of Hormuz but should only undertake the effort with the support of international allies. “Certainly, the United States Navy could open the Strait of Hormuz,” Austin, who served under former President Biden, told Bloomberg during remarks at the HSBC Gulf Cooperation…

Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday said the U.S. could reopen the Strait of Hormuz but should only undertake the effort with the support of international allies. “Certainly, the United States Navy could open the Strait of Hormuz,” Austin, who served under former President Biden, told Bloomberg during remarks at the HSBC Gulf Cooperation…

President Trump on Monday said two crew members who were aboard a U.S. attack helicopter when they crashed near the Strait of Hormuz are “fine.” The two crew members, whose AH-64 Apache helicopter was patrolling regional waters, were rescued within two hours after they crashed near Oman’s coast, according to U.S. Central Command (Centcom). The…

President Trump on Monday said two crew members who were aboard a U.S. attack helicopter when they crashed near the Strait of Hormuz are “fine.” The two crew members, whose AH-64 Apache helicopter was patrolling regional waters, were rescued within two hours after they crashed near Oman’s coast, according to U.S. Central Command (Centcom). The…

Washington and Tehran would need to defend any potential deal as a win for their side. And each has a leader whose approach to talks is vexing mediators.

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It was not immediately clear what led to the incident, which came at a time when the cease-fire in the war has grown tenuous.

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