The United States military launched “powerful” strikes on Iran on Thursday, July 30, 2026 in retaliation for Tehran’s attacks targeting U.S. bases in Jordan as the war in West Asia reignited and again drew in the Islamic republic’s proxies.

The first strikes after a nearly week-long lull in fighting dashed hopes of a return to negotiations.

“The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday’s attempted Iranian attacks on U.S. forces based in the Middle East”, U.S. Central Command said.

Saudi Arabia and the United States also announced strikes on Wednesday on militant bases in Iraq, while U.S. ally Israel accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of a truce violation.- AFP

The U.S. military said Marines had boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday (May 20) in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of attempting to violate Washington’s blockade of Iran.

“American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship’s crew to alter course,” said Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the region, in a post on X.

It said that U.S. forces have now redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance with the blockade. – AFP