Kuala Lampur, July 11 -- The renewed armed exchanges between the United States and Iran in and around the Strait of Hormuz are not simply the result of another ceasefire collapsing. Trump in his tempestuous style as declared "the ceasefire over."

Such a situation arises because what has repeatedly been previously called a ceasefire has never amounted to a comprehensive political settlement.

At best, Washington and Tehran have constructed temporary pauses during which each side continues trying to alter the balance of power before the next round of negotiations over the next 60 days.

As the clock ticks down, both sides will want to increase their leverage.

The latest escalation followed attacks on three commercial vessels transiting or...