Is the US at war? Answering your questions about the US-Iran conflict

WASHINGTON —

Questions about the possibility of war, the reasons for the conflict, and the status of the Strait of Hormuz are dominating public interest as tensions escalate between the United States and Iran.

Are we going to war with Iran?

Technically, this is not a formally declared war, but it is a military conflict. The operation was initially planned to last four weeks, but it has now continued for more than four months. The U.S. and Iran have exchanged fire, issued threats, and engaged in on-again, off-again negotiations.

The conflict only paused for a three-week period during a short-lived ceasefire. This week, the Trump administration accused Iran of violating their agreement by targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump then said that the ceasefire was “over” and threatened to renew attacks. The U.S. has since launched 170 military strikes against Iran in two days.

Why are we fighting Iran?

The conflict began in February when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, killing its supreme leader and much of the country’s leadership. The Trump administration said the goal of the operation was to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, take out missile sites, and weaken its military capabilities.

In response, Tehran has fired back at U.S. bases and regional targets, as well as ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway near Iran, is a vital route for oil-producing countries to transport their products to the global market. Since the conflict began, the Strait has been essentially cut off, which is why gas prices are higher today compared to the beginning of the year.

Watch the latest on the Iran war below: