Day 144 | US launches new strikes as Iran expands regional attacks

• Iranian President said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has called for ending the state of "no war, no peace."
• Pezeshkian claimed negotiations produced better-than-expected results despite US violations.
• He criticized domestic remarks that, in his view, undermine Iran's diplomatic efforts.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that foreign adversaries have imposed a "full-scale war" on Iran designed to generate severe domestic pressure, destroy infrastructure, and induce social collapse.

Speaking on national developments, Pezeshkian emphasized that the nation’s victory in the ongoing conflict remains entirely dependent on internal harmony and national cohesion, asserting that the enemy's failure to achieve its military objectives ultimately forced it toward dialogue.

Khamenei orders end to 'no war, no peace' state

Pezeshkian revealed that during recent meetings with Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the head of state stressed the critical necessity of bringing an end to the lingering state of "no war, no peace" in the country.

The President noted that his communication with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has intensified, reiterating that all top-level state decisions continue to be made under his direct guidance.

Pezeshkian slams domestic critics

Addressing diplomatic efforts, Pezeshkian defended his administration's track record, stating that achievements made at the negotiating table had exceeded initial expectations.

However, he blamed Washington for undermining progress by breaching its commitments.

Pezeshkian also turned his focus inward, criticizing domestic political commentary that dismisses the government's diplomatic work.

"Some statements at home diminish our achievements in negotiations. Our hard work should not be ignored with ill-considered comments," Pezeshkian stated.

Iranian state television reported a US attack targeting a site in the mountainous region of Khorramabad in western Iran's Lorestan province, with authorities assessing the impact of the strike.

The Ministry of Interior in Bahrain has sounded public alarm sirens and is urgently advising all citizens and residents to remain calm while immediately proceeding to the nearest designated safe area or shelter.

The Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army announced on Tuesday afternoon that its air defense systems intercepted and shot down three Iranian missiles that targeted the territory of the Kingdom.

According to an official military source in the General Command of the Armed Forces, the air defense systems engaged the incoming threats on Tuesday afternoon and successfully neutralized them.

Military authorities confirmed that the interception and shoot-down operation resulted in no human casualties or material damage. Following the operation, teams from the Royal Engineering Corps handled the sites where debris fell, securing them in line with established safety procedures.

The official source stressed that the Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army continue to actively monitor the Kingdom’s airspace and maintain their readiness to deal with any threat impacting the nation's security and sovereignty.

• All drones were neutralized without casualties or material damage.
• The military said the interceptions followed established defensive procedures.
• Jordan reaffirmed its readiness to counter any aerial threats to its airspace.

The Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Legion announced on Tuesday that its military units successfully handled five unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) launched from Iran overnight and early Tuesday morning.

According to an official military source in the General Command of the Armed Forces, the incoming drones were neutralized with high efficiency and precision, adhering strictly to the requirements of the operational situation and established defensive procedures.

Full operational readiness 

Military authorities confirmed that the neutralization process was carried out without causing any human casualties or material damage across the country.

The official source emphasized that the Armed Forces are continuing to actively monitor the Kingdom’s airspace, maintain full operational readiness, and take all necessary measures to address any aerial object that poses a threat to the security of the Kingdom and the safety of its citizens in accordance with established rules of engagement.

• The Pentagon said 96% of the injured have returned to active duty.
• Most reported injuries were minor concussions.
• The casualties come amid renewed US-Iran hostilities following the collapse of the ceasefire.

Nearly 100 American service members have been injured in multiple Iranian airstrikes on bases across the Middle East region this month, US officials told CBS News.

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the figures in an official statement, noting that nearly 100 personnel "were deemed to have some degree of injury since July 7, 2026".

Most troops return to duty

According to the Pentagon statement, the vast majority of those impacted received minor concussions from the strikes, and 96% of the affected service members have already been cleared to return to duty.

"They are determined to get back in the fight. The vast majority of injuries experienced were minor concussions," Parnell said in his statement.

The military's Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) lists 427 US service members who were wounded in action since the start of the US-Iran conflict, but that count does not include any injuries from this month.

Collapse of ceasefire

The casualties come amid a sharp uptick in direct military engagements between Washington and Tehran as a months-long ceasefire between the two nations disintegrates.

The US military has conducted nightly airstrikes against Iranian targets for more than a week, stating that the operations are aimed at preventing Iran from carrying out attacks on commercial shipping.

In response, Iranian forces have retaliated by launching strikes against US assets stationed in Kuwait, Bahrain, and other US-allied states in the region.

• US gasoline prices rose to an average of $4.00 per gallon for a second straight week.
• Middle East tensions and threats to regional shipping routes pushed oil prices higher.
• Brent crude and WTI reached their highest levels in weeks before easing slightly.
• Rising energy costs have renewed concerns about inflation and potential Federal Reserve rate hikes.

American consumers are facing renewed pressure at the pump as national average petrol prices breached the $4.00 per gallon mark.

The price increase marks the second straight week of rising fuel costs, driven by the re-escalation in military tensions between the United States and Iran that threatens critical energy infrastructure and maritime transit corridors.

According to daily tracking data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average price for a gallon of regular petrol rose to $4.00 (up from $3.87 just a week prior).

The price surge follows a breakdown in ceasefire agreements between Washington and Tehran, raising market anxiety regarding oil tanker safety across the Strait of Hormuz.

Benchmark crude futures surged over recent trading sessions as energy traders calculated potential supply bottlenecks.

International benchmark Brent crude reached $91.42 per barrel before pulling back slightly to $88.04, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed to its highest level since mid-June at $85.39 per barrel before settling near $82.29.

Market volatility worsened after Iran's regional ally, Yemen’s Houthis, to announce a formal naval blockade targeting maritime traffic heading to Saudi Arabia.

Houthi leadership warned that attempts to close off the Red Sea shipping route would intensify if US military strikes on Iranian energy assets continue.

The recent price spike directly reverses a brief period of relief for American households.

Data released last week by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.4 percent on a monthly basis, largely fueled by a significant 9.5 percent drop in petrol prices.

However, analysts note that the inflation report reflected a temporary window of calm before military engagements resumed.

The sudden rebound in fuel costs threatens to reignite broader consumer inflation.

Commenting on the market reaction, David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures, highlighted the broader macroeconomic risks facing central bankers.

"Higher energy prices remain in focus as a re-escalation in the Middle East tensions adds to concerns that last week's cooler-than-expected inflationary data may not be enough to deter the Fed from raising interest rates later this year," Meger told Reuters.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday they hit US military targets, including air defence systems in Bahrain and Kuwait, state news agency IRNA reported.

The Guards said they struck two air defence systems and a radar installation at two different US outposts in Bahrain, as well as missile defence systems and radars and satellite reception systems in Kuwait.

"With this radar sweep, the enemy should prepare for even more decisive and powerful waves of drone and missile attacks," the Guards said in a statement carried by IRNA.

The US military said Monday night it had completed its latest round of strikes against Iran, targeting various sites to counter Tehran's ability to attack ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

"US forces struck Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said in a post on X.

An "unknown projectile" struck a tanker off the coast of Oman, a British maritime agency said on Tuesday, as Iran and the United States exchanged fire over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said it "received multiple reports that a tanker... has been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz," adding that the incident occurred eight nautical miles (15 kilometres) northeast of Limah, Oman.

A tanker reported being struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, about 8 nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency.

For coverage of the previous day, visit the link below.

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