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.
Story comments
Loading comments…