As of July 24, 2026, the United States has conducted air strikes against Iranian military targets for 13 consecutive nights, with the most recent operations targeting the Iranian interior, including Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, and Qeshm. Iranian authorities report that at least four people were killed in the latest strikes near Ahvaz. The military campaign, directed by President Donald Trump, aims to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has retaliated by effectively blocking the strait and threatening to impose transit fees, while the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement has opened a second front in the Red Sea, claiming responsibility for attacks on Saudi oil tankers.

The simultaneous disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea have caused global oil prices to exceed $100 per barrel for the first time since May. President Trump has warned of “major military punishment” for Iran and its proxies if attacks on commercial vessels persist, indicating he is considering a larger-scale offensive. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has temporarily withdrawn diplomatic staff from Iran due to safety concerns, and both the US and UK maintain high military readiness as tensions remain at record highs across the region.