The path to peace has grown significantly narrower after the US and Iran traded fresh strikes, leaving critical ceasefire talks hanging by a thread.
The latest flare-up followed US strikes on Qeshm Island and Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump accused Tehran of shooting down a US Apache helicopter.
Trump warned that Iran would 'pay the price' for taking 'too long to negotiate a deal' and claimed Tehran missed an opportunity to secure a favourable agreement.
The US military launched strikes against Iranian targets claiming retaliation for shooting down their Army helicopter, with explosions heard in three strategic locations around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran then said it launched retaliatory strikes against American targets across the region, with Tehran claiming it carried out missile and drone attacks on US military bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The fresh exchange of strikes has placed much pressure on a fragile ceasefire that has been in effect since April 8, with the US Energy Department's forecasting arm warning that oil prices are likely to remain elevated through at least July.
