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.

The United States conducted its tenth consecutive night of attacks against Iran, targeting military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command stated these strikes hit command centers, maritime assets, and missile and drone launch sites. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed retaliation, reporting strikes on US HIMARS missile systems and radar in Kuwait, and on air defense systems in Bahrain. These actions follow recent Iranian attacks that killed two US soldiers in Jordan and one in Iraq. Earlier on Monday, two Greek-owned oil tankers were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, and another tanker was hit off the coast of Oman. Iran later claimed two more oil tankers suffered explosions and fires in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Pentagon has reported nearly 100 US service members injured over the past two weeks due to escalating strikes on Iran, with Iran launching retaliatory attacks. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for targeting US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, and a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile, forcing its crew to abandon ship. While most US injuries are minor concussions, three US soldiers have been killed in action in Jordan and Iraq recently. These events, coupled with a maritime embargo announced by Yemen's Houthis against Saudi Arabia, are disrupting global trade and increasing oil prices. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but a recent interim deal has faltered.

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 US military has launched a new series of strikes against Iran, marking the tenth consecutive night of attacks. These strikes are intended to degrade Iran's ability to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump stated these actions were in retaliation for the deaths of three US soldiers, vowing Iran would "pay many times over." Iran claims to have targeted sites in Bahrain, Jordan, and Syria, with President Masoud Pezeshkian describing the situation as a "full-scale war." Despite ongoing exchanges, diplomatic messages are reportedly still being sent through intermediaries. Jordan reported shooting down three Iranian missiles, while Kuwait intercepted Iranian drones, and Bahrain stated Iranian drones targeted its air navigation systems.

The US launched its ninth night of strikes targeting Iran early Monday, following the death of an American service member in northern Iraq. This incident, attributed to the detonation of unexploded ordnance on a downed Iranian drone, brings the total US deaths in recent days to three. The strikes were described by President Trump as being "in honor" of the fallen. Concurrently, Brent crude oil prices surpassed $90 a barrel, reaching their highest point since June. A ship caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian forces claiming to have blown up two oil tankers attempting to transit the area, though this remains unconfirmed. Tensions escalate as Iran retaliates against US-allied countries, and the US reinforces its military presence in the region.

Iran has accused the United States of striking critical infrastructure, specifically a desalination plant in Jask, which has left 10,000 people without water. This escalation follows US President Donald Trump's declaration that the peace deal with Iran is over. In retaliation, Iran launched drones and missiles at US-allied Gulf states, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. Kuwait reported damage to two power and water desalination plants, while Bahrain and Jordan confirmed Iranian missile interceptions and attacks on military sites. The US military's Central Command stated it conducted strikes on surveillance sites, military logistics, and maritime capabilities in Iran. The conflict intensified after Iran's attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, leading to the reimposition of sanctions by the US.

Iran launched a wave of attacks against US allies in the Middle East, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, in response to renewed US strikes on Iran. Kuwait reported civilian sites and vital infrastructure, such as a desalination plant and an oil facility, were targeted, causing injuries and material losses. Jordan's air defense downed Iranian missiles, and two US military personnel were killed in Jordan defending against an Iranian attack. Bahrain activated air sirens due to detected incoming threats. These actions escalate fighting over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran warning of further consequences if US attacks continue. The US stated its strikes aim to degrade Iranian military capabilities.

The US military has conducted strikes on Iran for the seventh consecutive night, stating the actions are intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities. These strikes follow President Trump's declaration that a temporary ceasefire agreement is "over." Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported explosions near the Strait of Hormuz, claiming two oil tankers exploded in a mined shipping channel, a claim dismissed as false by the US military's Central Command (Centcom). Iranian media also reported explosions in Yazd, Qeshm island, and Bandar Abbas. Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a significant portion of global oil and LNG supplies, has largely halted due to these ongoing retaliatory strikes. Earlier, Iran claimed to have attacked US military facilities in several Gulf countries, which the US denied.

The US military launched its seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran, targeting military capabilities and infrastructure, including bridges, a port tower, electrical facilities, and an airport. These actions, which began Friday evening GMT, are intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities and are part of an escalated conflict over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported at least seven deaths from earlier airstrikes on bridges. The US military stated the strikes were designed to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities. Iran's energy ministry urged citizens to conserve electricity due to strain on the power grid. The renewed fighting has resulted in at least 38 deaths and over 400 wounded in Iran by Friday morning, according to Iran's health ministry. The IRGC threatened a "devastating price" for countries hosting US bases if attacks on infrastructure continue.

Overnight, Iran launched strikes against multiple countries in the Gulf and wider region, including Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, and Syria, as the United States intensified its attacks on Iran. Tehran stated it targeted US facilities in these countries, claiming Washington used its bases there to strike Iran. In Qatar, which hosts significant US military facilities, the security threat level was raised following explosions and the sounding of warning sirens. A child in Qatar was injured by falling shrapnel. Iran's army also reported targeting US helicopters and reconnaissance aircraft at an airbase in Bahrain. The escalating US air campaign reportedly targeted civilian infrastructure in southern Iran, resulting in at least seven reported deaths.

The United States struck bridges in Iran, and Iran responded by targeting a power and desalination plant in Kuwait on Friday. These actions, which involved attacking infrastructure, raise concerns about further escalation between the two nations. Concurrently, US Marines boarded a tanker near the Strait of Hormuz amidst ongoing conflict that has disrupted energy supplies from the Gulf. Separately, armed individuals seized another vessel off the coast of Yemen, heightening worries about the security of oil shipments through the Red Sea choke point.

The United States military has launched a new wave of strikes against Iran, targeting command centers, air defense sites, and missile capabilities in locations including Bandar Abbas and Greater Tunb island. These actions aim to reduce Iran's ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claims to have retaliated with missile and drone attacks against US military assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, reporting the interception of its projectiles by Kuwait and Jordan. Iran's Health Ministry states that at least 35 people have been killed and over 300 injured since fighting resumed last week. US Central Command confirmed the strikes concluded Wednesday evening ET.

The US has intensified attacks on Iran, striking targets near Tehran and a ship accused of breaking its blockade. This marks the sixth consecutive day of fighting, threatening a wider war and jeopardizing a recent peace deal. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones targeting US allies in the region, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Iraq. The conflict has centered on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil exports, which Iran has largely closed. Both sides interpret a recent interim deal regarding the strait differently, leading to continued clashes and disruptions to shipping. The escalating tensions have caused oil prices to rise, and Iran has warned of further retaliation if the US interferes.

The United States has launched a sixth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, with US Central Command stating the aim is to "further degrade Iranian military capabilities." These attacks, occurring near the Strait of Hormuz, Bandar Abbas, and Bushehr, follow an exchange of strikes between the two nations. Iran's state media reported US missiles hit areas close to the Gulf island of Qeshm. The renewed hostilities have strained a preliminary deal to end the war, though the White House indicated President Trump remains open to diplomacy while holding Iran accountable for actions in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz remains shut, having been blocked by Tehran in response to US-Israeli strikes.

President Trump has threatened to target Iran's civilian infrastructure, such as power plants and bridges, if Tehran does not agree to a deal, a move that could constitute war crimes under international law. He has also reversed a previous threat to impose a 20% toll on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz for security, citing productive conversations with Middle East leadership. Senate Democrats have blocked a defense bill due to ongoing hostilities with Iran, while House Democrats oppose cuts to US military aid to Israel. In other news, federal immigration officials have paused vehicle stops following recent fatal shootings of immigrants in Texas and Maine. Meta faces a lawsuit alleging the use of AI to identify employees for layoffs, particularly those who took protected leave.

The United States military has conducted hundreds of air attacks across Iran over the past week, resulting in at least 35 deaths and 300 injuries, according to Iranian health officials. These strikes targeted military sites along Iran's southern coast and near the Strait of Hormuz, despite a ceasefire agreement. In response, Iranian forces attacked US military facilities in the region, including sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, leading to injuries among Kuwaiti military personnel. The Gulf Cooperation Council condemned Iran's actions as an unprecedented escalation. The US has also reimposed a naval blockade on Iran. These escalating actions are raising concerns about the collapse of a fragile ceasefire and a potential return to wider conflict.

The United States conducted a wave of air strikes on Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and coastal areas, while Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have attacked US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. These actions occurred as the US resumed a naval blockade of Iranian ports, leading to a rise in oil prices due to concerns about global energy supply disruptions. The exchange follows a fragile ceasefire that both sides have accused each other of violating. US President Donald Trump stated that attacks would continue and warned of targeting infrastructure, while Iran threatened to close export corridors benefiting the US and its allies. Jordan's military reported intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles.

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.

The United States launched new strikes against Iran on Sunday evening, continuing recent exchanges between the two nations. Iranian state media reported one death and four injuries in southwestern Iran due to these strikes. In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated it had struck US military bases in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain. These escalating attacks coincide with conflicting claims regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran asserting its closure and the US maintaining it remains open. Centcom announced dozens of Iranian military targets, including air-defense systems and missile capabilities, were struck, emphasizing preparedness to ensure freedom of navigation for commercial shipping.

The US military has significantly increased attacks on Iran in recent days, marking the most intense bombardment since a memorandum of understanding last month. US fighter jets and warships have targeted hundreds of military sites and some civilian locations across at least 10 Iranian provinces, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claims to have closed the Strait due to US intervention and retaliated by attacking US interests in several regional countries. US Central Command stated over 300 military targets were hit, including coastal surveillance and naval assets, but did not acknowledge striking civilian objectives. Attacks have impacted infrastructure, including port facilities and the perimeter of Iran's nuclear power plant, and have reportedly reduced electricity generation capacity.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz after striking a vessel for using an unapproved route, warning of a severe response to any retaliation. US Central Command stated its forces conducted strikes to degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners, following the incident involving a Cyprus-flagged container ship that sustained engine room damage and had a missing crew member. The IRGC claimed several ships disregarded warnings to correct their course. This escalation occurs amidst diplomatic efforts in Oman to discuss safe passage through the strait, and follows heightened rhetoric between the US and Iran regarding potential assassinations and reprisals.

Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following an incident where a vessel was struck for allegedly jeopardizing maritime security by switching off its systems. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy stated the ship was brought to a halt without providing further details. In response to Iran's actions, the US military launched a new round of strikes against Iran. This US action was reportedly a consequence of IRGC forces attacking a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the strait. Iran warned of a severe response to any retaliation over the incident.

The US military conducted strikes on Iran for a second day, following an attack on three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump stated that an interim agreement to end the war was "over" and that Iran was "behaving very badly," accusing them of launching drones and missiles. These renewed hostilities have led to a jump in oil prices and a lowered global economic growth forecast by the IMF, with tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz reportedly halted. In Maine, Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner suspended his campaign after sexual assault allegations, prompting Democrats to select a replacement. Separately, the family of a Mexican immigrant fatally shot by an ICE agent in Texas is calling for an independent investigation into the incident.

Pakistan has urged restraint from all parties involved in the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, stating that renewed conflict is "in no one's interest." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for both sides to honor commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), brokered by Pakistan in April, which it described as a foundation for regional understanding. This appeal follows a new wave of strikes and counterstrikes after a fragile ceasefire collapsed. The US conducted a second night of attacks targeting Iranian sites, prompting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to respond with drone and missile attacks on US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, and drones towards Qatar. These exchanges followed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, leading the US to reimpose sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

The United States and Iran have engaged in a second day of retaliatory attacks, escalating tensions and jeopardizing a recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at extending a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Following US strikes on approximately 90 Iranian military targets, Iran stated it attacked US military-linked sites in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The US Central Command reported its strikes targeted Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran claimed its actions were in response to the US bombardment. These exchanges threaten to undermine the MoU brokered by Pakistan and Qatar, which sought to de-escalate conflict and address broader issues between the two nations.

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 has launched further strikes on Iran, with explosions reported in the country's south, including port cities on the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump stated these actions are retribution for Iran's alleged bombing of ships the previous day, warning of escalating consequences if such attacks recur. US Central Command confirmed the strikes aimed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the waterway and hold Iran accountable for recent aggression against commercial shipping. Iranian state media reported multiple explosions in Bandar Abbas and missile strikes on ports in Sirik and Jask. Senior Iranian officials had previously vowed an immediate response to any US attack.