★USA
US Strikes Six Iranian Sites, Debuts Combat Sea Drones
CENTCOM struck Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas during a five-hour operation targeting coastal defenses, missile and drone sites, and naval capabilities. In a separate operation, three Corsair unmanned surface vessels struck a submarine and ship-maintenance facility at Bandar Abbas, marking the first acknowledged US combat use of sea drones. More than 50,000 US troops remain deployed across the region.
Trump Threatens Strike On Fortified Underground Nuclear Site
Trump said the US is closely watching a deeply fortified underground facility near Natanz and would “probably give it a shot relatively soon.” US intelligence suspects the site may house undeclared enrichment capacity; Iran maintains it is used only for centrifuge assembly. Experts say its depth may exceed the range of current bunker-buster munitions.
Trump Reinstates Naval Blockade, Proposes Hormuz Transit Fee
Trump announced the US is reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian shipping, beginning 4 pm ET Tuesday, while keeping the strait open to all other nations. He separately proposed a 20% fee on cargo transiting Hormuz, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on social media, “POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service.”
Trump Notifies Congress As War Powers Fight Returns
Trump formally notified Congress that hostilities resumed July 7. The administration views the notice as opening a new 60-day window for military action without further authorization. Sen. Schiff plans a new War Powers Resolution vote this week, calling the conflict unauthorized; Sen. Schumer has urged compliance with prior votes to end US involvement.
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★IRAN
Iran Strikes Two UAE Tankers, Killing One Crew Member
Iranian cruise missiles hit the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah in Omani waters, killing one Indian crew member and wounding eight others. Fires broke out and were contained. The UAE condemned the attack as a serious violation of international law and said it reserves the right to respond, marking its first direct casualties this round.
Iran Claims Strike on US Base in Jordan With Ballistic Missiles
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a US air base in Jordan with ballistic missiles, while Jordan’s armed forces said they intercepted and destroyed four missiles that entered its airspace from Iran. The incident marks a further expansion of regional tensions, with no immediate US confirmation of damage at the base.
Iran Tracks US Troops Through Commercial Mobile Data Across Middle East
Iran is reportedly tracking US troops in the Middle East using commercial location data collected through mobile apps and digital advertising networks instead of hacking military systems. The campaign maps troop movements and routines, raising security concerns. US Central Command previously warned such data could aid adversaries. Iran has not commented, and the Pentagon released no further details.
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★YEMEN
Yemen Front Ignites After Sana’a Airport Strike
Yemeni government forces struck Sana’a’s runway to block a sanctioned Iranian flight carrying a Houthi delegation home from Khamenei’s funeral; the plane diverted to Houthi-held Hodeidah. The Houthis retaliated with strikes on Abha airport and threatened Riyadh’s main airport and oil infrastructure, opening a new front alongside the Hormuz crisis.
Saudi Jets Reported Striking Houthi Positions In Saada
Houthi media report Saudi fighter jets carried out multiple airstrikes on militia military sites and scattered areas across Saada province at dawn Tuesday, with local sources describing consecutive loud explosions. The strikes follow Monday’s Houthi ballistic missile and drone launches toward Saudi Arabia from the Al Ammar highlands. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed conducting the strikes.
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★LEBANON
Lebanon and Israel Resume Direct Talks in Rome
Lebanon and Israel resumed US-mediated direct talks in Rome, with Beirut demanding an immediate Israeli withdrawal from two pilot areas before further negotiations. The discussions also address Hezbollah’s disarmament and future security arrangements, while officials warn renewed US-Iran tensions could complicate progress despite Lebanon remaining outside the latest escalation.
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★GULF STATES
Oman Summons Iran’s Ambassador After Duqm Port Attack
Iranian forces reportedly struck logistics and refueling infrastructure at Oman’s Duqm port, prompting Oman to summon Iran’s ambassador in protest. The incident marks a serious rupture with one of the region’s most consistent mediators and raises questions about whether Oman can continue playing that role.
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★ Disclaimer: This publication is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.
