As the stalemate between Washington and Tehran drags on and the world waits in hope of a deal, the very real possibility of an alternate outcome – the resumption of war – looms overhead.

As Trump considers his next move, the Iran war — and the Strait of Hormuz — remain gripped in a costly standoff.

Tehran has warned of strikes against Arab rulers and American assets in the Gulf if the United States attacks.

Meanwhile, benchmark Brent crude for June delivery reached as much as $126 a barrel in trading on Thursday as Iran maintains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all crude oil and natural gas traded passes.

WASHINGTON — Iran is taking advantage of the ceasefire with the U.S. to dig out its weapons.

The defense secretary testified on the eve of the 60-day mark of the war, a major statutory deadline for the president to withdraw forces or seek approval from Congress to continue the fight.

The War Powers Act requires that the Trump administration seek lawmakers' consent to continue hostilities beyond 60 days, a time limit that expires Friday.

Iran is using the ceasefire to dig out weapons. Trump signs a bill to end the DHS shutdown. And previewing the Kentucky Derby.