US-Iran War: No Signs of Ceasefire

0:00On March 14, the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, shows no signs of letting of two weeks after it began with massive airstrikes. President Trump's team has turned down pushes for Middle Eastern allies to kick off talks, while Iran insists on no ceasefire until the bombing. Stopps. Both sides seem set for a longer fight. Reasing U.S. strikes hit Iran's key oil export island on Friday night, signaling Washington's commitment to keep going. Iran's new Supreme Leader has promised to hold the strait of Hormuz, closed and ramp up threats against neighbors, worsening the global oil crunch. Since a fifth of the world's supply passes through there. The conflict has already claimed more than 2,000 lives, mostly in Iran, and driven oil prices sky-high was shipping halted in the strait. In the U.S., rising gas costs are sparking worries among some officials about fallout for Republicans ahead of midterm elections. Efforts by countries like Egypt and Oman to mediate have gone nowhere, with early feelers through backshannels fizzling out.

1:02Iran's elite forces now view control of the strait as make or break, blocking any diplomatic thought, despite outside pressure. As positions harden on every front, the focus stays on military moves, leaving the door shut on quick resolutions for now.