CNN analyst Stephen Collinson: People might wonder why the US military is bombing Iran again. After all, President Trump just last month described the war-ending agreement as Iran's "unconditional surrender." However, in response to a series of attacks on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, the US launched strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday; an official called the move a "punitive" strike and "disproportionate" in its force. Furthermore, the US reimposed oil sanctions on Iran, alleging violations of the memorandum of understanding. This new round of strikes raises immediate questions: can this fragile ceasefire withstand its most severe test since its signing? How can Trump claim the war is over if Iran continues to threaten shipping along this crucial oil route and the US is again attacking its ports?
This escalation comes at a sensitive time. Iran is holding a funeral for its Supreme Leader Khamenei, who died early in the war. Its latest move appears intended to demonstrate to Trump, who is attending the NATO summit in Turkey, and to showcase what it believes to be the leverage it gained during the war. The latest U.S. action does little to improve the atmosphere of the NATO summit, following Trump's scathing criticism of allies for not participating in military action, which they deemed illegal and beyond the defensive capabilities of the Western alliance. Trump had threatened that if Iran violated the memorandum of understanding, "we will not hesitate to drop the bombs directly on their heads." However, he also desperately wants to end the war—a war that has cost him dearly politically and which he has warned could trigger another Great Depression. Trump has once again realized that starting a war against Iran is easy, but ending it is incredibly difficult.
