Day 155 | Trump voices optimism on Gaza peace while Iran war drags on
US President Donald Trump said Washington and ‘Israel’ are aligned on plans to begin implementing a new Gaza agreement, describing it as a step toward ending the war. Hamas has said it is prepared to disarm if ‘Israel’ fully complies with the terms of a ceasefire agreement, a move that could mark a significant diplomatic breakthrough if finalized.
Trump also met with his Cabinet at Camp David as his administration looks for a path to de-escalate the war with Iran. Domestic pressure is mounting on the White House to bring the fighting to an end, although Trump indicated that US military operations could continue. No new strikes inside Iran were reported overnight from Thursday into Friday.
Elsewhere in the region, Kuwait said it intercepted an Iranian attack targeting an air base early Friday. Earlier this week, Egypt reported its first drone strike on its territory after two vessels were damaged at Damietta Port. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and Egyptian authorities are continuing their investigation.
US faces critical shortage of missile defence interceptors: Report
Months of fighting in the Middle East have significantly reduced the Pentagon's stockpile of missile defense interceptors, raising concerns about the US military's ability to sustain its current pace of operations, according to a Fox News report citing data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
The report said US Patriot interceptor inventories fell from about 2,300 before the fighting to fewer than 827, while Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors declined from 452 to fewer than 278.
According to CSIS, rebuilding these stockpiles could take at least three years, fueling concerns about the military's ability to protect US forces and overseas bases if another major crisis emerges, including in the Pacific.
To address the shortfall, Fox News reported that the Pentagon allocated $18.2 billion of its proposed $67 billion emergency funding request for fiscal year 2026 to replenish Patriot interceptors, Navy Tomahawk cruise missiles, and THAAD systems.
The report added that lower-cost munitions priced at $600,000 or less account for half of the weapons requested in the military's preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget proposal.
UKMTO says tanker struck by projectile off Oman
A tanker has been struck by an unknown projectile about 11 nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
The strike damaged the vessel's engine room, leaving it not under command, according to UKMTO.
The agency said regional Coast Guard forces have been notified, and authorities are investigating the incident.
Bessent says US pursuing Iranian assets worldwide
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States is continuing to track Iranian assets around the world and that any funds recovered would be directed to the Iranian people.
Speaking to reporters, Bessent said, "We are looking for Iranian assets all over the world, and that money will go to the Iranian people."
Denver airport closes departures area over possible security threat
Denver International Airport said it has temporarily closed its Level 6 West departures area due to a possible security threat.
In a post on X, the airport said the closure includes the West Security Checkpoint and the departures area. Passengers have been instructed to use Level 6 East for all departure processing and security screening until further notice.
Airport officials did not provide additional details about the nature of the reported security threat and thanked travelers for their patience as the situation is being managed.
Due to a possible security threat, Level 6 West is closed until further notice, including the West Security Checkpoint and departures area. Passengers should use Level 6 East for all departure processing and security screening. Thank you for your patience.
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) July 31, 2026
WATCH: Iranian pilgrims head to Karbala for Arbaeen
Iran warns of response to US, 'Israeli' infrastructure threats
A senior Iranian official said Tehran has prepared a comprehensive response to any potential US or ‘Israeli’ attacks on its infrastructure, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
The official described US media reports about possible strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure as "madness" and said Iran was fully prepared to retaliate.
According to Tasnim, the official said Iran's response "includes the vital infrastructure of the Zionist regime and the energy infrastructure of the US in the region."
Iran’s Zolqadr says US voters will ‘pay the price’ of Strait of Hormuz blockade
The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council warned that the continued US naval blockade would further tighten restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran's state-run Fars News Agency.
Mohammad Baqir Zolqadr said the US blockade and what he described as "arson" would "tighten the lock on the Strait of Hormuz and close other straits and bottlenecks."
"The US regime's continued naval blockade and arson will both tighten the lock on the Strait of Hormuz and close other straits and bottlenecks; and the global economy, the energy market, and American voters will pay the price," Zolqadr said.
Pentagon refuses to comment on reports of planned US-'Israeli' attack on Iranian energy sites
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the Defense Department will not comment on potential targets in Iran before President Donald Trump decides whether to authorize military action.
“The Department of War is locked and loaded, ready to execute the President’s directives at a moment’s notice,” Parnell said in a statement to CBS News.
His remarks came after CBS News reported that the US and ‘Israel’ are allegedly planning a bombing campaign targeting Iran's energy infrastructure, with potential strikes throughout the weekend. According to the report, military planners have considered completing the operation before global financial markets open on Monday.
CBS News added that Trump has not yet given final approval for the reported attacks.
US, 'Israel' prepare possible strikes on Iran's energy sector: CBS News
The United States and ‘Israel’ are preparing for possible strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure that could begin as early as this weekend, according to a CBS News report citing multiple sources. President Donald Trump has not yet issued a final order authorizing the operation.
The report said potential targets include power plants and oil refineries. US officials also discussed disrupting electricity supplies in Tehran, although no final decision had been made as of Friday.
CBS News reported that military planners considered carrying out the strikes before global financial markets open on Monday because of concerns over the potential economic impact, but no timeline has been finalized.
US sources told CBS News that ‘Israeli’ officials had been informed of the planning and were coordinating with Washington. However, an ‘Israeli’ official disputed that account, saying “Israel is unaware of a decision to restart full military operations, nor has been requested of Israel to join any military actions against Iran.”
The reported plans were discussed during Trump's Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday. Speaking to reporters afterward, Trump said the United States would strike Iran “very hard” and, when asked about diplomacy, added, “I think we just want to win.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump remains committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to comment on potential targets, saying the military stands ready to execute any orders issued by the president.
