US Warns Potential Resumption of Strikes on Iran, UK Boosts Security Deployment in Strait

According to the latest reports from The New York Times and Reuters, the Trump administration has officially issued an ultimatum on the Iranian nuclear issue. If substantial progress is not made in recent negotiations, the United States will end the ceasefire that has been maintained for about a month and resume military action against Iran. The safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz continues to deteriorate, and the geopolitical tension is accelerating its impact on the global energy market.

On May 12th local time, U.S. President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth made successive public statements with strong wording. The New York Times, citing the White House, said that the current U.S.-Iran negotiations have reached a substantive deadlock. The core differences in this round of the game are focused on three levels: Iran demands compensation for war losses from the U.S., recognition of its sovereign rights in the Strait of Hormuz, and the full lifting of existing sanctions.

However, the Trump administration has flatly rejected the above three demands, neither willing to compromise on the issue of compensation nor accepting Iran's claim to the sovereignty of the strait, leaving almost no room for compromise, and the expectation of a resumption of military conflict has rapidly heated up.

Against the backdrop of the escalating situation, the UK announced an increase in the defense deployment of the Strait of Hormuz. According to Reuters, the British side will deploy "Typhoon" fighter aircraft, "Dragon" destroyer, and independent mine-sweeping equipment to join the multinational joint shipping security mission, and add a special budget of £115 million for the layout of mine-sweeping drones and anti-drone systems.

The British Defense Secretary confirmed the above deployment plan in a video conference participated by defense ministers from more than forty countries, and stated that the mission will be launched as soon as conditions are ripe. The intervention of European forces reflects the international community's high vigilance towards the security of energy routes.

Market analysts pointed out that once U.S.-Iran military conflict reignites and the passage of the strait is obstructed, international oil prices will face the pressure of a rapid jump, and further amplify the risks of global inflation and supply chain fluctuations. At present, the energy market has maintained high sensitivity to the development of the situation, and all sides are closely watching the latest progress in negotiations and military movements in the coming days.