Iran war continues with US attacks and Iranian attacks
A week after the ceasefire collapsed, and on the seventh night of U.S. attacks on Iranian military targets, Iran launched attacks on America’s Gulf allies.
The Trump administration is ramping up military pressure on Iran after a recent attack on Jordan killed two U.S. service members.
U.S. Central Command, known as CENTCOM, shared in a July 18 post to The post said the strategy was aimed at destabilizing Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for international oil supplies.
The war with Iran, which began on February 28, is nearing its fifth month. The United States and Iran signed a preliminary agreement in June aimed at halting fighting and providing a path to a long-term peace deal. But that agreement has fallen apart, with President Donald Trump saying he considers the ceasefire “over.”
According to Reuters, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the United States would pay for “the escalation of the conflict.” The July 18 airstrike was the eighth consecutive day of U.S. attacks on Iran.
Two US soldiers killed, one missing in Jordan
Centcom announced on July 17 that two U.S. service members were killed and another missing after Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks hit U.S. and partner forces in Jordan.
Four additional U.S. service members were medically evacuated to a hospital in Jordan, but have since been discharged, and others who were treated for minor injuries have returned to duty.
The two recent deaths bring the total number of U.S. service members killed in the war to 16.
More than 50,000 uniformed U.S. military personnel serve throughout the Middle East.
Iran’s Ministry of Health announced on July 18 that 50 people have been killed and more than 500 injured in US attacks on the country in the past three weeks alone, Reuters reported.
Rubio meets with Lebanese president who will soon visit the White House
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on July 19 to discuss the framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon on June 26.
The agreement aims to end unresolved disputes between the two countries. Aoun is also scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House on July 21.
Republican: US returns to ‘Plan A’
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said on “Fox News Sunday” that the United States is returning to “Plan A” in the conflict.
“Now we’re moving forward with Plan A again,” McCall said. “The military intends to move in, remove the launch pads, and take away the ability to send Shahed drones to attack tankers (and) missiles.”
McCaul said the United States should reopen the Strait of Hormuz and remove targets inside Iran that threaten commercial shipping.
“To open the Strait of Hormuz, we must destroy these targets inside Iran,” Makoul said. “That has to be the fundamental objective.” McCaul also said that “the military was winning this war with Iran.”
Global warning issued to Americans abroad
In response to rising tensions in the Middle East and the “potential for unexpected escalation,” the State Department is issuing a global warning to all Americans abroad.
The July 18 alert urged Americans to be more vigilant, noting that U.S. diplomatic facilities beyond the Middle East were being targeted and that “groups supporting Iran may target other U.S. interests abroad or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans around the world.”
Travelers are encouraged to monitor the news for the latest developments, enroll in the State Department’s free Smart Traveler Registration Program for safety alerts, and be aware that travel may be disrupted.
The State Department issued a similar global alert in March.
Contributor: Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY. Reuters
