More Strikes on Iran As Diplomats Seek To Reopen Strait of Hormuz
A fresh strike on Iran has hit a highway bridge under construction. As US President Donald Trump says more is on the way in the monthlong US-Israel war with Iran, diplomats from countries not involved are trying to get Iran to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.
Title: Chaos and Uncertainty Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
REPORTER:
Panic as a trip to enjoy Iran’s Nature Day holiday turns violent.
REPORTER:
Further away, an eyewitness films what’s just happened—a strike has sent smoke pouring from a bridge under construction west of the capital Tehran.
REPORTER:
On social media, US President Donald Trump threatens there may be more to come if Iran doesn’t make a deal to end a month-long war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
REPORTER:
But polling shows two-thirds of people in the US want out of Iran quickly, not an escalation. In New York, some visitors from states that helped elect Trump are unimpressed at an address Trump made Thursday.
Stacie Hayes (OKLAHOMA RESIDENT):
I thought it was a rambling mess. And it continues to get us deeper and deeper into trouble with all of our allies and all the world. And I just don't know where it's going to go.
Tim Mathistad (KENTUCKY RESIDENT):
All he did was sort of recap everything and a lot of lies thrown in there, I think.
REPORTER:
New York, home to the UN, is also a center of efforts to end some of the deep pain this war has brought the rest of the world.
REPORTER:
Iran's control of the critical Strait of Hormuz severely limits oil and gas shipments vital to livelihoods and economies far away from the fighting. Gulf kingdom Bahrain wants the security council to authorize protection of shipping through the strait by—quote—any defensive means necessary. Veto holder China, though, has other ideas—championing its own five-point peace plan.
Fu Cong (CHINESE UN AMBASSADOR):
Under the current circumstances authorizing member states to use force would amount to legitimizing the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force.
REPORTER:
A lack of consensus at the UN doesn’t mean diplomacy isn’t going anywhere. Countries like the Philippines have persuaded Iran to let their ships through.
REPORTER:
And Britain’s foreign minister says there’s a concentrated international effort to get the strait totally reopened.
Yvette Cooper (BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER):
Well, we had over 40 countries from every continent come together in support of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. And also the crucial principle of freedom of navigation.
REPORTER:
How fast this happens is as uncertain as how long the war itself will go on. Trump says perhaps two to three weeks, but continued strikes like these show the end isn’t here yet.
