US expands Iran attacks as Trump warns Tehran and Houthis over Red Sea strikes

The US conducted strikes across Iran, reaching the Caspian Sea, in response to Iranian-backed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. President Trump warned Tehran and the Houthis of "major military punishment" for extending the conflict to this key shipping route. Iran retaliated with drone and missile fire against US bases and allies in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. Reports of Iran rejecting a US ceasefire proposal, delivered via Iraq's prime minister, were disputed by Iraq. The Houthis continued their naval blockade, impacting oil prices and shipping insurance. Iran stated its commitment to preserving its interests in the Strait of Hormuz, indicating fundamental disagreements with the US approach to regional peace.

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 United States conducted strikes on Iranian military targets, including maritime capabilities and missile storage, in several cities across southwestern Iran, resulting in casualties. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated by claiming attacks on US assets in Kuwait and Jordan, targeting missile defense systems and military equipment. Simultaneously, an explosion set a tanker ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz after it reportedly attempted to navigate a southern route, with the IRGC warning the strait is under their control. The Houthis also claimed to have struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. These actions represent a significant escalation of regional tensions.

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 conducted air strikes against Iranian coastal surveillance and air defense facilities on Saturday night, targeting capabilities of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). These strikes, the eighth consecutive night of US action, were in retaliation for an IRGC attack that killed two US troops in Jordan. In response, Iran's army stated it launched drone attacks on two US bases in Kuwait. The US aims to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and punish forces responsible for the Jordan attack. Both nations have escalated attacks in recent days, with accusations of striking critical infrastructure.

The US military launched strikes on Iran for the eighth consecutive night, targeting areas in Hormozgan province, including Sirik and Qeshm Island. US Central Command stated these strikes were in retaliation for an Iranian attack in Jordan that killed two American service members and were designed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's semi-official news agencies reported the strikes, noting no casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure. In response, Iran's army reportedly targeted two US military bases in Kuwait, hitting an ammunition depot and radar systems. These actions follow weeks of escalating conflict, with both sides reporting casualties and damage to 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.

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 conducted strikes against Iran for a third consecutive night, targeting military sites in southern Iran including Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, aiming to degrade Iran's capacity to attack shipping. In retaliation, Iran struck UAE-flagged oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one Indian national, and targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait with drones and missiles. Iran also launched missiles and drones at US forces in Jordan, which shot down four missiles fired from Iran. US President Donald Trump stated a deal with Iran is possible despite the renewed fighting and reiterated demands for Gulf nations to fund US protection of shipping. The US blockade on Iran's southern ports and terminals was set to begin.

Overnight, explosions were reported across Iran as the US targeted military infrastructure, including command centers and air defense sites in locations like Bandar Abbas and Greater Tunb Island, according to US Central Command. Iranian state media confirmed explosions and triggered air defenses in Tehran. Simultaneously, Gulf allies reported drone attacks, with Kuwait's military intercepting them and Bahrain's interior ministry advising citizens to seek safety. Iran's military stated it struck US communication systems and fuel storage in Jordan. Tensions are escalating, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed. The US recently resumed a blockade on Iranian ports, leading Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps to warn of further disruptions to oil and gas export routes.

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.