For the tenth night in a row, the sky over the Middle East has been lit up by military explosions. On July 21, 2026, American forces have been bombing Iranian targets continuously. This bombing campaign started after a peace agreement, signed only a few weeks before, completely failed.
News sources like Al Jazeera and ABC News Australia report that the fighting has turned the region into a large battlefield. The main area of conflict is the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow sea passage between Iran and Oman is very important because about 20 percent of the world's oil and natural gas passes through it. Now, it is a dangerous place that could lead to a bigger war.
The number of people killed is increasing quickly. The Pentagon has confirmed that 17 American soldiers have died in the fighting. Two of them were young soldiers, First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan and Private Isabella Gonzales, who were killed when Iranian forces attacked a base in Jordan. Another soldier died in northern Iraq while trying to destroy an unexploded Iranian drone, according to CBS News.
The Washington Post also reported that about 100 American soldiers have been injured by Iranian attacks in the last two weeks. President Donald Trump said the American attacks were a way to honor the soldiers who died.
The American military has been targeting Iranian military sites, including radar systems and missile launch areas. However, the attacks have also damaged civilian areas in Iran, such as roads and power plants, according to Euronews and Al Jazeera.
Iran has also attacked American bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. In Kuwait, Iranian attacks damaged power and water facilities. Bahrain used its air defense systems to stop the attacks. Jordan's military intercepted Iranian drones and missiles.
At sea, the situation is also difficult. The United States has stopped Iranian ships from leaving its ports to prevent oil exports. Iran has responded by attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Two oil ships were damaged, and another ship's crew had to abandon their vessel.
These problems in the Strait of Hormuz have caused oil prices to rise sharply. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran wants to control the strait and use it to influence the world. He asked other countries to help protect international shipping.
Diplomatically, the situation is not good. The peace agreement was meant to last 60 days for negotiations about Iran's nuclear program. However, Iran has officially left the agreement. Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, called the ceasefire 'worthless.' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the war can only end with a military victory or through negotiations that happen after military success.
Despite the strong words, there is still a small chance for peace. Pakistan is trying to help negotiate a new ceasefire. Iran's Interior Minister recently met with Pakistani officials to discuss how to end the conflict. For now, the bombing continues, and the Strait of Hormuz remains a dangerous area.