The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is “de facto dead”: both sides are still trading attacks, the stalemate in the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved, and the UK has already deployed warships to the Middle East.

Mars Financial News, May 9 — The US and Iran remain deadlocked over ceasefire and negotiations. The New York Times reports that although both the US and Iran claim that the one-month ceasefire agreement is still in effect, multiple rounds of attacks have occurred over the past week, and no breakthrough has been made in negotiations. The report states that the US recently attacked two Iranian oil tankers heading toward Iranian ports; Iran continues to maintain its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The US proposed plans including lifting port blockades, restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and extending the ceasefire period by 30 days, but the issue of Iran’s nuclear restrictions remains the core disagreement in negotiations. Meanwhile, the UK announced the deployment of destroyers to the Middle East as a “pre-deployment” for future escort missions in the Strait of Hormuz, and France has also dispatched a carrier battle group to the Red Sea. The UK and France are pushing to establish a “multinational joint escort mechanism.” Additionally, satellite images show large areas near Iran’s Halek Island suspected of oil spills, with pollution spreading over more than 20 square miles. Analysts believe that under US sanctions and prolonged high-pressure operations, Iran’s oil infrastructure faces serious risks.