Month: July 2026

The U.S. attacks military targets.  Iran doesn’t mind going after civilians.  “Investigators believe Iranian hackers are likely behind cyberattack on Minnesota water systems: report,” Fox, 7-31-26.

“US offers $15 million reward over IRGC drone network,” Iran International, 7-31-26.

“IRGC Claims Strikes on Tankers in Strait of Hormuz,” Iran Wire, 7-31-26.

“Report: US, Israel weigh land blockade to tighten pressure on Iran,” i24, 7-31-26.  “Proposal would enlist Iran’s neighbors to restrict cross-border trade as Trump considers new steps to force Tehran back to talks.”

“IRGC targets two tankers in Hormuz as Iran receives bodies of forces killed in Iraq,” Iran International, 7-31-26.

“Drone attack caused fire on gas ships at Mediterranean port, Egypt says,” BBC, 7-30-26.

And when we say the Houthis are working with Iraqi armed groups loyal to Iran, such as Kataib Hezbollah, that is just one more message that Iran is coordinating in not in some ways controlling the Houthis.  The Regime certainly arms and trains their friends in Yemen.  See “Yemen’s Houthis are attacking Saudi Arabia from Iraq, sources say,” Reuters, 7-30-26.  The article also mentions the Houthi red and green posters with the “Sarkha” motto of “God ​is greatest, death to America, death to ​Israel, curse the Jews, victory to Islam.”  They forgot the death to Saudi Arabia part, whom they have been fighting for years.

“Why Iran chose to restart the fight after the US stopped firing,” CNN, 7-30-26.  See also the following, because this question is easy.  Because Iran wants to do what it can to survive.  It is willing, to attack anyone, from its own civilians to its former allies.  “Here’s why new fronts seem to be opening up across the Middle East,” AP, 7-30-26.

“US intercepts Iranian missiles in ‘attempted surprise attack,’ CENTCOM says,” ABC, 7-29-26.

“Trump threatens to hit Iran ‘hard’ following missile attack on U.S. assets,” WPost, 7-29-26.  “Fighter jets from the United States and Saudi Arabia conducted joint military strikes overnight targeting Iranian-backed forces in Iraq, officials said, marking what appeared to be Riyadh’s direct entry into the conflict between Washington and Tehran.”

“Ukraine’s Iran ship strike was more about messaging than a new front, analysts say,” Iran International, 7-29-26.  “A Ukrainian strike that killed a sailor aboard an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea has drawn a vow of retaliation from Tehran and warnings that two wars, fought until now a continent apart, are beginning to converge into a single theater.”

“The Whiplash War,” NYT, 7-29-26.  What this story misses, and could easily insert, is that the offending/first/restarting of hostilities attacks come from Iran.  The U.S. “attacks” are responsive/reactive/self-defensive.  I encourage the NYT to amend its story and help the world see who attacks first, and over time.

Headline here is deceiving, as the U.S. action is predicated solely on Iran breaking the fighting and attacking Jordan, Egypt, and elsewhere.  “Iran War Live Updates: U.S. Strikes Iran as Fighting Reignites Across Region,” NYT, 7-29-26.

This most recent article above leads me to this.  I’m asked regularly “What do you think about the Iran war?”  I send persons back to my blog.  Iran has been at war with the U.S. since 1979.  The actions of last June, and now since the end of February, are in large part the U.S. finally saying enough is enough.  We also have proxies, Houthis, Hamas, Hezbollah, but for those persons who say there has to be a “diplomatic solution” that is code for not addressing the problem.  The short answer?  The answer that not enough give?  Barbary Pirates.  Do what Thomas Jefferson did.  That should be the reaction of any country that is faced with another who refuses to act as a normal state but instead imposes its revolutionary ideas and actions on you and others.  “U.S. Retaliates Against Iran for Tuesday’s Surprise Attack,” WSJ, 7-29-26.  See also “US weighs a 10 to 14 day air campaign against Iran as Trump considers major escalation – report,” i24, 7-29-26.

“Why Iran Is in No Rush to Return to Talks With United States,” NYT, 7-28-26.  Hormuz.  Since 1979.  The 1,000 Year perspective.  Proxies.  Term limits for U.S. president.  Terrorism pays.  Hostage-taking pays.  Shia Revolutionary ideology.  Population is controlled.  (and maybe there is no Ayatollah to control them).  The list goes on.

This is not news, it is the status quo.  Butttttttt, it is one step away from Iran declaring itself as having the ability to do anything it wants nuclear-wise.  In other words, it can do a North Korea.  Here’s another way of saying this—for all the persons who say Iran doesn’t have a nuclear weapons program or even desire or is prohibited by a (non-existent) fatwa from having nuclear weapons, why would the Foreign Ministry come out today and say this?  See “Iran says it is effectively operating as a non-NPT state,” Iran International, 7-28-26.

“Riyadh condemns Iran-backed drone attacks from Iraq on oil facilities,” Iran International, 7-28-26.

“Trump: US will hit Iran with force in response to attacks on American forces in Jordan | LIVE BLOG,” i24, 7-28-26.  During an unofficial ceasefire with the U.S., Iran attacks.

I keep on harping on Iran can’t charge blackmail/fees for transiting international straits.  They are providing nothing of value for the fee (like navigation), but are certainly providing threats.  See “Iran rejects Oman’s 50-50 Hormuz shipping plan, proposes new route,” Iran International, 7-28-26.  Note that Iran insists that all or part of both ingress and egress goes through its territorial waters.  Piracy.

“Saudi Aramco Shuts 400,000-Bpd Refinery After Houthi Strike,” OilPrice.com, 7-28-26.

Iran continues to try to kill Pres. Trump and PM Netanyahu and other high officials (this will most likely be the case for the rest of their lives).  “Bid by Iran to harm senior Israeli officials prompted Netanyahu’s secretive DC departure – reports,” Times of Israel, 7-28-26.

“Tankers divert to Egypt as Houthi threat upends Red Sea trade,” Japan Times, 7-28-26.

“The Islamic Republic is preparing to receive hundreds of shoulder-launched defense systems from China,” Iran International, 7-28-26.  By land or sea?  And through Pakistan.

The blog program at my host institution has been down for over a week, so I’m working now to catch up.

“Iran rebuilds missile capabilities after US, Israeli strikes – WSJ,” Iran International, 7-22-26.  See “Iran Shows Its Ballistic Missiles Are Still a Force to Reckon With,” WSJ, 7-21-26.

“US launches fresh strikes on Iran, as Trump warns of retaliation for deaths of soldiers,” BBC, 7-21-26.

Good news.  Pilot program starts in three areas Israel backs out of in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Army becomes the only entity authorized to carry weapons there.  We must find creative ways like this to rid Lebanon of Iran-backed Hezbollah.  “Israel and Lebanon begin US-backed security pilot to accelerate Hezbollah’s disarmament,” I24, 7-21-26.

Some persons claim that the closest ally of the U.S. is Israel.  It’s the UK, and has been for years.  “Burnham approves use of UK bases for some US strikes on Iran,” i24NEWS, i24NEWS, 7-21-26.

Implications for nuclear negotiating with Iran.  “Trump Approves Landmark Nuclear Deal With Saudi Arabia in Big Win for Kingdom,” WSJ, 7-21-26.

“Iran mediators push new ceasefire as Trump eyes all-out war,” Axios, 7-20-26.  This is the result of 10 days of bombing “Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems” in southern Iran in and around Bandar Abbas.  See also “Iran initiates 10-day ceasefire proposal with US through mediators | LIVE BLOG,” I24, 7-20-26.

“Sec. Rubio meets with Lebanese President Aoun to discuss Trilateral Framework,” i24NEWS, 7-19-26.  Iran continues to try to abort these efforts aiming for sovereignty for Lebanon by supporting its right-arm Hezbollah.  If there is good news it is that all see the Regime’s efforts; they are no longer suppressed in the media as they were for years.

“Trump says US hit Iran ‘very hard’ in ninth consecutive night of strikes | LIVE BLOG,” i24NEWS, 7-19-26.  “Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed attacks on US aircraft at Jordan’s Aqaba Airport and a command center in Syria, while also reporting explosions involving two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Sirens sounded overnight in Bahrain, and Kuwait said it intercepted Iranian drones. Meanwhile, CENTCOM said it carried out a ninth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military targets, including command centers, air defenses, missile and drone sites, maritime capabilities and communications networks.”

“Iran War Live Updates: U.S. and Iran Escalate Attacks, While Hinting at Diplomacy,” NYT, 7-16-26.

I’m sometimes surprised when someone says that Hezbollah or the Houthis are independent.  Here’s proof again, and in the headline.  “Iran tells Houthis to close Red Sea gateway if US hits power network, sources say,” Reuters, 7-16-26.

“Why the Strait of Hormuz has become the center of a global maritime dispute,” i24, 7-16-26.  The U.S. doesn’t need to seize Kharg Island if the U.S. Navy stops Iran-related ships at Hormuz.

“Jordan downs 8 Iranian missiles as Iran targets US sites in the Gulf and Jordan | LIVE BLOG,” i24, 7-15-26.