'No more tit-for-tat': Iran's risky new strategy explained

Here are the updates on the US-Iran war: For one thing, apparently it’s no longer a war US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified to Congress that Operation Epic Fury had been wound down entirely. He said he would not call the current exchanges of fire with Iran a "war". So, what are those exchanges of fire? Clashes continue in the Strait of Hormuz, where both sides are imposing blockades. On Tuesday the US military struck a Botswana-flagged oil tanker headed for Iran's Kharg Island. Iran said it targeted a US vessel on Wednesday. US Central Command denied the attack. The Gulf was then hit with renewed attacks. One person was killed and over 60 injured in Iranian drone strikes on Kuwait's international airport. The airport also sustained significant damage, though Iran blamed this on a US missile interceptor gone awry. The US denied this. Kuwait has been a frequent target for Tehran, which claims that the Gulf country has been used as a launchpad for US missiles. Kuwait maintains that it has not allowed Washington to use its bases for this war. Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, the UAE and Qatar also suffered Iranian fire. But while hostilities appear to be escalating again, Iran has acknowledged that it’s back at the negotiating table with the US. MEE's Mathilda Mallinson is joined by Quincy Institute's Trita Parsi to break this all down and where we are now... Support stories that matter. Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @middleeasteye   Catch previous episodes of MEE LIVE, our biweekly news programme exploring the stories shaping our world through breaking coverage, expert analysis, and hard-hitting interviews. Originally airing Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12pm ET | 5pm BST Got a story tip or question? Reach us at [email protected] Subscribe to our channel: http://ow.ly/AVlW30n1OWH Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG Middle East Eye Website: https://middleeasteye.net Follow us on TikTok:   / middleeasteye   Follow us on Instagram:   / middleeasteye   Like us on Facebook:   / middleeasteye   Follow us on Twitter:   / middleeasteye