The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that once carried a fifth of the world's oil, has seen a dramatic decrease in ships. This follows the collapse of a peace agreement from 2026, with both the United States and Iran blaming each other. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister officially ended their participation, and Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned of serious consequences if US military actions continue.
Despite these warnings, the US military conducted airstrikes against Iranian targets for the ninth night in a row on July 19. American forces attacked military sites, including command centers and missile launch areas. Iranian news reported explosions in several cities like Tabriz and Chabahar.
These attacks came after US forces suffered losses. On July 17, Iranian missiles and drones hit a US military base in Jordan, killing two soldiers. Another American died the next day in Iraq while trying to disarm a drone. President Trump stated the strikes were in honor of the fallen soldiers. Since the conflict began in February 2026, 17 American troops have died and over 420 have been injured.
The human cost is also high in Iran, with reports of at least 50 killed and over 500 injured by US bombing operations in July. The conflict has also damaged civilian infrastructure, including roads and water facilities, in an effort to weaken Iran's influence. Iran has responded by launching missiles and drones at US military bases and partner countries, including Kuwait, where a desalination plant providing most of the country's drinking water was hit.