Trump threatens fresh strikes on Iran as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed following U.S. military action

Aug 1, 2026

President Donald Trump is threatening heavy military strikes against Iran as the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains virtually closed to commercial shipping. The escalation follows the collapse of a brief June truce, with Iran launching drone attacks on vital facilities in Kuwait and targeting tankers in the Gulf. Meanwhile, a U.S.-brokered framework has emerged for the complete disarmament of Hamas and a phased Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, though the deal faces deep political skepticism in Israel.

US strikes on Iran

▪United States officials warned that new military strikes against Iran could take place as soon as the weekend of August 1, 2026.
▪United States President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran "very hard" with military strikes during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on July 31, 2026.
▪White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on July 31, 2026, that Iran broke a truce memorandum of understanding signed in June 2026 by shooting at commercial ships and killing American soldiers.

Strait of Hormuz closure

▪The British Navy reported that an unknown projectile struck a tanker 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima, Oman on July 31, 2026, damaging its engine room.
▪Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority claimed on July 31, 2026, that passage through the Strait of Hormuz was not feasible and that permits would be paused.
▪Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz dropped to five transits on July 30, 2026, compared to a pre-war average of more than 100 ships per day.

Iranian drone attacks Kuwait

▪Kuwait's military intercepted and destroyed hostile Iranian drones in its airspace early on August 1, 2026.
▪The Iranian drone attacks in Kuwait struck a government facility in the north and civilian property on Bubiyan Island, causing material damage but no casualties.

Hamas disarmament agreement

▪Israeli far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir called the Hamas disarmament deal unacceptable on July 31, 2026, stating that killings in Gaza must continue.
▪Hamas confirmed on July 31, 2026, that it agreed to a U.S.-brokered framework calling for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups in Gaza.

Israeli troop withdrawal Gaza

▪The Gaza agreement stipulates that Hamas will hand over security and political control to an international stabilization force, a new Palestinian police force, and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
▪The U.S.-brokered Gaza agreement calls for the phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu confronts JD Vance

▪An Israeli official described the meeting between Benjamin Netanyahu and JD Vance as a frank, candid, and direct conversation.
▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confronted U.S. Vice President JD Vance over his criticism of Israel during a private meeting at Blair House in Washington on July 28, 2026.