First Thing: Trump urged to end Iran escalation as US deaths and injuries rise

Democrats are urging President Trump to end the renewed conflict with Iran following the deaths of three U.S. troops in Iranian strikes. Senator Chris Murphy accused the president of losing control of the war, which has escalated after Trump withdrew from a prior agreement. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, while a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile. Since February 28th, at least 17 U.S. service members have been killed, with nearly 100 injured in the past two weeks. The article also briefly mentions other news items, including a potential candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine, South Carolina Senator Darline Graham's intention to run for a full term, concerns about AI chatbots providing unreliable election guidance, and a United Airlines employee's threat to call ICE.

A US service member was killed on Saturday in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian attack drone. This incident brings the total number of US military personnel killed since the war began on February 28 to 17, with at least 420 wounded and one missing. Hostilities resumed on July 7 after a period of ceasefire negotiations following initial US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Iranian retaliation. Recent exchanges include Iranian ballistic missile strikes on US transport planes in Jordan, where two US service members died and a third is missing. President Trump has expressed sadness and vowed to retaliate against Iran to honor the fallen soldiers. Public opinion polls indicate that a majority of Americans question the war's cost.

The United States conducted new air strikes targeting Iran early Monday following the announcement of another American service member's death. Iran, in turn, fired missiles towards Jordan, raising concerns of the conflict expanding into neighboring Israel. These actions represent a continued escalation between the two nations, bringing them closer to all-out war. An interim deal intended to end the fighting has reportedly collapsed, and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has significantly stalled. The US military stated the service member was killed in Iraq on Saturday during the detonation of a downed Iranian drone. Both sides have targeted civilian infrastructure.

Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent is urging the immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Middle East amidst ongoing conflict with Iran. Kent stated on X that the U.S. should leave to avoid mass casualties and break an escalation trap, suggesting former President Trump could still frame such a move as a victory. His comments followed U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announcements of two U.S. service members killed and one missing in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17, and another service member killed in Iraq on July 18 during a drone ordnance detonation. Kent previously resigned from his government post, citing opposition to the Iran war and asserting Iran posed no imminent threat, attributing the conflict's start to pressure from Israel and its lobby. He believes removing U.S. forces would deprive Iran of military targets and justifications for regional disruption.

A U.S. service member was killed in northern Iraq on Saturday during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Sunday. A second service member was wounded in the incident and is receiving medical treatment. This announcement coincided with CENTCOM confirming that unidentified remains were found Sunday in Jordan during the search for a U.S. service member reported missing after a separate Iranian attack on Friday. The attack in Jordan killed two U.S. service members and injured four others who were medically evacuated and later discharged. CENTCOM is withholding further details, including the identities of the fallen and missing, out of respect for their families.

The United States and Iran have escalated their conflict, with a fragile ceasefire unraveling and leading to tit-for-tat attacks. The IRGC struck commercial vessels off Oman, prompting US retaliatory strikes on Iranian military targets. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks, and subsequently shut down the Strait of Hormuz, leading to further US strikes concentrated around the waterway. Analysts suggest the conflict is evolving into sustained, but limited, combat, unlike the broader air campaigns seen in March. Both sides are reportedly still open to talks, with Qatar and Pakistan mediating. This latest escalation has caused oil prices to spike and markets to plunge.

The US military has launched new attacks against Iran amid an escalating standoff over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran condemned these strikes, stating they have "rendered futile" diplomatic efforts and caused insecurity in the strait, disrupting international shipping. Iran claims passage through the waterway is not possible due to US military movements, while the US asserts its forces are safeguarding freedom of navigation and that an alternative southern route remains available. The article also notes the death of Senator Lindsey Graham and actor Sam Neill.

Two U.S. service members were killed and one is missing following Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan on Friday. U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the casualties, stating that U.S. and partner forces defended against the attacks. Four other service members were medically evacuated but have since been discharged, with others returning to duty after minor injuries. Jordan's military reported intercepting 10 Iranian missiles in its airspace overnight without reporting damage. The article does not specify the location of the attack in Jordan or the identities of those killed, citing respect for families. This incident raises the U.S. death toll in the conflict to 16.

Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan, have activated air defense systems following renewed Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting U.S. military installations. These attacks, which Iran claims hit specific facilities, occur amidst a fragile memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. aimed at halting a conflict that began in February. The renewed escalation, partly focused on the Strait of Hormuz, highlights a security dilemma for Gulf states: their U.S. military presence makes them targets, yet U.S. protection is crucial against Iranian threats. Gulf nations have invested heavily in layered air defense networks, but the sustained pressure from Iran's cheaper drones raises questions about their ability to withstand prolonged confrontations.

The US military has launched a second night of strikes against Iran, following President Trump's declaration that a ceasefire is "over." These actions, directed by President Trump, aim to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command stated that Iran is being held accountable for recent aggression against commercial shipping. Iran's Mehr news agency reported its air defenses engaging "hostile targets" near Bandar Abbas and explosions in other coastal areas. Both nations accuse each other of violating a mid-June memorandum of understanding that ended fighting and lifted a US naval blockade. A key dispute centers on the clause regarding safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran asserting sole responsibility for determining passage arrangements.

The US military conducted strikes on Iran for a second consecutive day following President Trump's declaration that an interim agreement to end the war was "over." These strikes targeted three locations across Iran, including Bandar Abbas, Sirik, and Bushehr province, in retaliation for Iran's earlier attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command confirmed the actions were aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation. The escalation follows an exchange of fire after Iran targeted merchant vessels, and the US also revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil exports. The strikes occurred as Iran was preparing to bury its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The United States launched new airstrikes against Iran early Thursday, targeting approximately 90 military sites and port facilities, in retaliation for Iran's recent attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. U.S. President Donald Trump stated these strikes were to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation and warned of further escalation if shipping attacks continue. Iranian state media reported explosions in various locations, including near the Bushehr nuclear power plant and port cities. Trump declared the interim ceasefire agreement "over" but allowed negotiations to continue, while Iran's deputy foreign minister viewed his remarks as an admission of policy failure. These escalating actions have raised fears of a renewed conflict and caused oil prices to surge.

Following deadly US attacks on Iran that reportedly killed at least one person and caused power outages, sirens sounded across Bahrain and Kuwait, with warnings also issued in Qatar. In Qatar, residents were advised to stay indoors and away from windows until the danger passed. Kuwait's defense ministry reported intercepting drones and missiles, urging citizens to take precautions and noting that any explosions were due to these interceptions. Bahrain's interior ministry also issued an alert. Countries in the Gulf region are preparing for potential retaliatory attacks, as is common after US strikes on Iranian targets. Iran claims to be targeting the sources of attacks on its territory, a stance that has caused contention and anger in Gulf nations who state they are not involved in the conflict.

Oil prices surged as renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran impacted the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose above $76 a barrel for the first time in two weeks after the US launched strikes on Iran and revoked a temporary waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil. This action followed attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which US, Qatari, and Saudi officials blamed on Iran. US Central Command stated the strikes were to impose costs for targeting commercial shipping. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister described the sanctions waiver revocation as a violation of a previous memorandum of understanding and warned of decisive actions to safeguard national interests.