Iran War Enters 6th Month and a Period of Greater Uncertainty
“The Iran War, entering its sixth month, has resulted in significant casualties and economic impact. Despite initial claims of a swift resolution, the conflict persists with unresolved issues and ongoing hostilities. The war has led to a substantial increase in gasoline prices and significant losses for both the U.S. and Iran.
Here is a rundown of the major events of the war, as both sides consider their next moves.
Soon after the war began on Feb. 28, President Trump declared that Iran was “totally defeated and wants a deal.”
Then in March, Mr. Trump said the U.S. military would wrap up its campaignagainst Iran in two to three weeks. “We will be leaving very soon,” he said.
Now the conflict is entering its sixth month and a period of deep uncertainty. After nearly two weeks of attacks and counterattacks, Mr. Trump has held off a major escalation. But major issues between the two sides remain unsettled.
The cycles of fighting have resulted in staggering losses.
An estimated 1,700 Iranian civilians have been killed in airstrikes, which have devastated Iran’s infrastructure and deepened the country’s economic crisis.
Eighteen U.S. 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.
Feb. 28: In the opening barrage of the war, a salvo of Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from U.S. Navy warships kills 175 people at an elementary school in Minab, in southern Iran, most of whom are children.
A new type of American 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 responsibilityfor either attack.
March
On March 1, the second day of combat, Iran attacks U.S. military facilitiesacross the region with medium-range ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones. An Iranian attack drone kills six U.S. Army soldiers in Kuwait.
March 1: Three U.S. Air Force F-15 warplanes are shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses 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 U.S. Army soldier dies of wounds suffered in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
March 12: Six U.S. airmen are killed when their KC-135 aerial refueling 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 U.S. aircraft were destroyed in the second rescue operation, which involved hundreds of Special Operations troops and other military personnel. Another U.S. warplane, an A-10 Warthog, crashes and the pilot is rescued.
April 6: Central Command, which directs military operations in the Middle East, says the U.S. has hit more than 13,000 targets in Iran. It is the last update Centcom offers on the numbers of targets struck until airstrikes resume in earnest in July.
April 7: Mr. Trump announces a cease-fire.
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 U.S. announces a blockade of Iranian ports.
April 19: A U.S. 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 U.S.-imposed blockade.
April 21: Mr. Trump extends the cease-fire.
The 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: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman 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 cease-fire 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 U.S. 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, Centcom 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 U.S. 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 U.S. economic sanctions on Iranian oil.
June 23: Iran attacks a commercial ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Over the next two days, U.S. forces launch airstrikes 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 U.S. 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: U.S. forces launch new airstrikes against Iran, hours after Mr. Trump said he thought a three-week-old cease-fire between the two countries was “over.”
July 9: Iran launches medium-range ballistic missiles at Jordan. U.S. Central Command says that it has struck 170 targets during the first 48 hours of renewed attacks.
July 11: Mr. Trump orders more airstrikes 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 U.S. Army soldiers are killed by an Iranian attack on a military base in Jordan.
July 18: One U.S. 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 U.S. 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.
John Ismay is a reporter covering the Pentagon for The Times. He served as an explosive ordnance disposal officer in the U.S. Navy.“
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