Middle East War

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U.S. hits Iran again after troop deaths

Satellite image shows Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan in February. Image: Planet Labs via Reuters The U.S. military launched fresh strikes against Iran last night after announcing the death of a soldier and the recovery of another's remains, Axios' Barak Ravid and Rebecca Falconer write. CENTCOM said an American service member was killed Saturday in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian attack drone. It also revealed that "unidentified remains" were found at the location of an Iranian missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan that killed two American troops on Friday. One soldier had been missing. President Trump told reporters that the U.S. hit Iran "very hard again." "We feel very badly, but you know those great people, those great patriots, were out there fighting that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," he said. If the remains are confirmed to be a U.S. soldier, it would bring the American death toll in the war to 18. Keep reading.

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US bombing of Iran expands as American troops killed and Tehran retaliates against the Gulf states The United States conducted a new round of airstrikes early Monday, now into their ninth straight night, targeting Iran after announcing the death of another American service member. Iran responded by launching an attack targeting Bahrain, the home of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, and Kuwait. Read more.

Why this matters: The latest attacks again showed how, step by step, the U.S. and Iran have inched closer to all-out war as last month’s interim deal meant to permanently end the fighting has crumbled and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has largely stalled. Both sides have targeted civilian infrastructure relied on by millions of people.    Meanwhile, benchmark Brent crude rose Monday above $90 a barrel, further fueling a global energy crisis sparked by the conflict. An average gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S. also rose to $4, a key metric for Americans that puts more pressure on their wallets ahead of midterm elections this fall.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ WATCH: Video appears to show moment Iran missiles hit Jordan base, killing 2 US service members   US gas prices hit an average of $4 a gallon   US military identifies 2 soldiers killed in Iranian attack on Jordan as from Texas and Hawaii    In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, too much cash is breaking the economy

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Israel is building a miles-long earthen barrier inside Gaza, entrenching its division The Israeli military is quietly but quickly building a giant earthen barrier separating the over 50% of the Gaza Strip it controls from the rest of the territory, according to satellite imagery, further entrenching the division of the tiny Palestinian enclave. Read more.

Why this matters: When presented with the satellite images, Israel’s military confirmed to The Associated Press it has built a physical barrier in the area of the so-called yellow line, the boundary to which Israeli troops withdrew under the October ceasefire deal with Hamas. The line was envisioned in the U.S.-backed agreement as a temporary division of the territory pending a fuller Israeli withdrawal. But as the truce stagnates, it appears Israel is digging in, heightening Palestinian fears that the line is morphing into a border.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ US and Iran dig in over the Strait of Hormuz, showing the limits of intensifying airstrikes   Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis say they will block Saudi shipping at Red Sea gateway

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US military carries out strikes on Iran as both sides threaten civilian infrastructure

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military announced Wednesday that it was conducting a 12th night of strikes against Iran as both sides increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-hormuz-strait-war-july-22-2026-42ff3de8d135ad72ff3ba4d94cc0921d?

U.S. escalates with B-1 bombers

A B-1 Lancer lands at RAF Fairford in England earlier this year. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Intel from Axios' Barak Ravid: The U.S. military used a B-1 long-range bomber Tuesday to strike targets connected to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, U.S. officials said. Why it matters: It was the first U.S. B-1 mission since fighting with Iran resumed 12 days ago. Using B-1 bombers, which can carry two dozen 2,000-lb. bombs or dozens of cruise missiles, signaled a significant escalation and expansion of the U.S. military campaign. 👀 What we're watching: President Trump is still considering returning to major combat operations against Iran. U.S. and Israeli officials say this could happen within days.

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US military launches new strikes on Iran as clashes escalate over shipping routes

CAIRO (AP) — The U.S. military launched the 13th night of strikes Thursday against Iran, targeting key military and commercial sites as clashes continued to escalate over shipping routes. The attacks came after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, potentially widening the Iran war as international oil topped $100 a barrel.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-hormuz-strait-war-60d46bf8c83c43a8f2268b7b87627c55?

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Trump "close" to decision on "massive attack"

Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Pool and Shady Alassar/Anadolu via Getty Images President Trump is seriously considering restarting major combat operations in Iran, he told Axios' Barak Ravid today. He's mulling strikes that would be bigger than those carried out during Operation Epic Fury, the first stage of the Iran war. In an exclusive interview, Trump acknowledged that such a decision would have consequences — and stressed that he hasn't yet decided. Trump didn't give a deadline for his decision. Two other U.S. officials confirmed that no call has been made and no new military orders have been given. 🚀 Trump told Axios: "I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it." Trump said that Israel "would join in two minutes if I ask them to" but added, "We don't need anybody" to launch a new operation. Trump said that the Iranians "want to negotiate," but aren't ready to make a deal. "They haven't received enough pain yet," he said. 🇮🇷 Two regional sources with knowledge of the mediation efforts said that Iranian leadership hasn't accepted the latest proposal. "We are trying, but the Iranians are not being helpful," one source said. 🪖 A return to all-out war is highly unpopular in the U.S. The current escalation has caused oil prices to eclipse $100 per barrel. Go deeper.