Hormuz Ceasefire Breaks Into Direct U.S.-Iran Strike Cycle

The United States launched strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz after the loss of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter, while Iran reported retaliatory attacks against U.S.-linked targets in Jordan and the Gulf. AP reported that the exchange again tested a two-month ceasefire, and Reuters-linked oil coverage showed crude rising as the flare-up renewed supply-risk concerns. The strategic signal is a maritime-energy choke point turning into a repeat escalation loop.