The United States and Iran have restarted hostilities. Washington confirmed strikes on sites inside Iran while Tehran hit US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Merchant ships came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz shortly before. President Trump declared the agreed ceasefire finished. European media outlets are now assessing the danger of further escalation.

Der Standard notes that nobody should be surprised the Persian Gulf ceasefire failed. Built-in ambiguities in the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding make renewed fighting possible at any moment. Even if escalation stops this time it will not be the last.

NRC observes that neither side wants a long conflict so talks may resume yet trust will be lower. Both full war and pure diplomacy would be hard for Trump to handle leaving relations likely somewhere in between.

Naftemporiki argues Washington has little room to maneuver. Rising fuel and food prices hurt Republican chances in November midterms so Trump cannot afford another war. Tehran knows this weakness and uses it to pressure him leaving the mullahs in control of the conflict scale through the Strait of Hormuz.

Dagens Nyheter sees a stalemate. Tehran realizes Trump will not launch large ground operations to seize the strait or uranium stocks. Iran remains weakened but still holds the strait and its population in a tight grip.

Neue Zuercher Zeitung points out the new Iranian leadership is not secure. The regime feels victorious after surviving US strikes and the funeral of Ali Khamenei showed resilience yet the struggle continues with an unpopular theocracy and the little-known Mojtaba Khamenei now in charge.

Salzburger Nachrichten criticizes Trump for eroding trust by calling Iranian leaders names. Basic diplomacy requires avoiding public insults if talks are to succeed.

The Economist believes Iran will return to negotiations despite threats. Military reality and economic weakness after the funeral crowds leave will push generals back to the table while Gulf neighbors urge tougher pressure on Tehran.