US Strikes Iran; Trump Says Tehran Not Ready for Deal
The United States carried out its 13th consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian military targets on July 24, 2026, as President Donald Trump declared that Tehran is “not ready for a diplomatic deal” and warned of a potential “massive attack, bigger than ever before.” The strikes targeted Iranian drone sites, command centers, and military infrastructure around the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sustained escalation in a conflict that has drawn in multiple regional powers and pushed global oil prices above $100 per barrel, as reported by CBS News.
Context: A War Entering Its Sixth Month
The latest strikes are part of a broader conflict that began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and sparking a multi-front war that has since claimed thousands of lives. According to Wikipedia’s comprehensive overview, the conflict has cost U.S. taxpayers an estimated $113.3 billion as of June 2026, while Iran has suffered catastrophic economic losses estimated at 90% of its annual GDP.
The war has since expanded to encompass not only direct U.S.-Iran hostilities but also Iranian retaliation against U.S. allies in the Gulf, sustained Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. A ceasefire signed in June collapsed on July 8, and the U.S. has maintained continuous airstrikes since then.
Key Developments: 13th Night of Strikes and Iranian Retaliation
On July 24, U.S. Central Command confirmed it had completed a 13th consecutive night of strikes, targeting Iranian drone sites, command centers, and other military infrastructure along the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon stated the operation aimed to “further diminish the threat Iran poses to civilian mariners and commercial vessels.”
Iran responded swiftly. The Iranian army claimed responsibility for retaliatory drone strikes against U.S. military bases in Bahrain (Isa Air Base), Jordan (Al-Azraq base), and the Abdali border crossing in Kuwait. According to state media, Iran struck fuel storage facilities, aircraft hangars, equipment warehouses, and barracks using Arash kamikaze drones, as documented by CBS News. Tehran warned that any facility in the Middle East used by the U.S. military for strikes on Iran would be considered a legitimate target.
Iranian state media (IRNA) reported that an overnight U.S. strike on Khuzestan province killed at least four people and injured five others. A separate strike targeted Bandar Abbas, the strategic port city on the Strait of Hormuz. Since the war began, casualty estimates vary widely: Iran reports 3,503 of its citizens killed, while the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) puts the civilian death toll at over 3,400.
Escalation in the Red Sea
The conflict has widened significantly with the involvement of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Iran. On July 22-23, Houthi forces claimed to have struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and announced a naval blockade on Saudi vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. One Saudi-flagged tanker, the Encelia, was confirmed hit, causing a fire on its bow.
President Trump responded by warning that “major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis” if the rebels launched further attacks on Saudi shipping. In an interview with Axios, Trump stated he was considering “a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision.”
The European Union condemned the Houthi attacks as “unacceptable” and “a dangerous escalation,” while the International Maritime Organization called for de-escalation, stating that “continued attacks on shipping in this region risk escalating tensions.”
Economic Shockwaves
The widening conflict has sent shockwaves through global energy markets. Brent crude oil prices crossed $100 per barrel on July 23 for the first time in over two months. The U.S. national average gas price hit $4.09 per gallon. The U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has redirected 12 vessels since being reinstated nine days ago, and Gulf oil producers are accelerating plans to build pipeline alternatives that bypass the strategic chokepoint.
Domestic and International Reactions
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 214-208 on July 23 to adopt a resolution directing President Trump to end hostilities against Iran without congressional authorization. Four Republicans crossed party lines to support the measure. A similar effort failed to advance in the Senate.
Internationally, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for de-escalation and renewed negotiations, stating that “the door for negotiations, once opened, should not be closed.” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned other nations against assisting U.S. attacks on Iran, asserting that “any participation, cooperation or assistance in committing aggression against Iran will create international responsibility for the relevant parties.” The United Kingdom withdrew all remaining diplomatic staff from Iran.
Analysis: A Dangerous Crossroads
The conflict has reached a critical inflection point. Trump’s rhetoric oscillates between threatening “massive” military escalation and leaving the door open to diplomacy, creating strategic uncertainty. “There is a military exit… or else there is a smarter strategy which is to reach a deal,” Trump said on July 24. “We are talking to them. I think they are serious.”
Meanwhile, the multi-front nature of the war — now spanning Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Red Sea — raises the risk of a broader regional conflagration. Houthi attacks on Saudi shipping, coupled with Iran’s continued retaliation against U.S. bases, suggest that the conflict is not only persisting but expanding into new theaters.
What’s Next
Key questions remain unanswered. Will Trump order the “massive attack” he has threatened, or pursue the diplomatic track he has hinted at? Can Chinese mediation or European diplomatic pressure de-escalate the crisis? How will sustained oil prices above $100 affect the global economy? And what will be the long-term strategic consequences of a war that has already reshaped the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape?
As the 14th night of strikes approaches, the world watches a conflict that shows no signs of abating — and that may be entering its most dangerous phase yet.
Reporting contributed by RTBF and CBS News.