Iran War Crisis Escalates with Hormuz Territory Pledge

The war remains on Day 181, with the White House denying negotiations even as mediation continues and Vance's Pakistan trip was canceled while awaiting a unified Iranian proposal. Trump's Hormuz pledge, continued strikes, sanctions, rising energy prices, depleted SPR and missile defenses, another carrier deployment, and possible Pentagon leadership changes are increasing pressure. Reports that families of six fallen troops may skip a White House event add scrutiny of wartime transparency, base protection, and Gold Star family treatment.