Six Months In, US-Iran Conflict Braces for an Uncertain Pause

Six months into the US-Iran war, President Trump has avoided a major escalation, but fighting, heavy casualties, and a heavy civilian toll persist. About 1,700 Iranian civilians have been killed and 18 U.S. service members have died, with the conflict costing roughly $37.5 billion. The war has featured cycles of strikes, retaliation, and sporadic cease-fires, including a reopened Strait of Hormuz under a vague memorandum that leaves Iran’s nuclear program unresolved. Renewed airstrikes and attacks continued into July, while gasoline prices fluctuated sharply, underscoring the deep uncertainty about what comes next.