Key development: The US and Saudi Arabia launched joint air strikes on Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, opening a new front in the conflict—though Trump says Iraq’s government approved the strikes, Iraq calls them a “blatant violation” and canceled a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince MBS.
Military Operations
(Update) The US and Saudi Arabia bombed Iran-aligned militias in Iraq together, but Iraq’s government disputes whether it approved the strikes. First coordinated US-Saudi strikes in Iraq, expanding the war beyond Iran and Yemen. Trump claims Iraqi government coordination; Iraq calls the strikes a “blatant violation.” (Al Jazeera, France 24)
Context: Trump confirmed on Fox News that the strikes were coordinated with Iraq’s government, but Iraq is calling them a “blatant violation” and the Iraqi PM canceled a scheduled meeting with Saudi Crown Prince MBS over it. This marks a significant expansion of the conflict into a new theater and highlights contradictory accounts of Iraqi involvement.
Sources: Al Jazeera | France 24
(Update) Iran broke its multi-day ceasefire pause by firing missiles at Jordan and hitting three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. First Iranian strikes in days, right as Trump and Netanyahu were meeting. (Al Jazeera, France 24)
Context: Iran launched five missiles at Jordan on July 29 (Jordan intercepted them all) and attacked three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the strikes were in response to “aggressive actions” by the US. Iran also rejected Oman’s proposal for jointly managing the strait. This ends a multi-day pause in Iranian attacks.
Sources: Al Jazeera | France 24
(Update) The UK is building a naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Response to Iran’s escalating attacks on shipping. (France 24)
Context: Britain is trying to assemble an international naval force to protect commercial vessels passing through the strait after Iran hit three ships and tensions over control of the waterway spiked. This comes as the conflict increasingly involves Iran’s regional proxies in Yemen, Iraq, and elsewhere beyond direct US-Iran strikes.
Sources: France 24
(Update) The US still hasn’t resumed bombing Iran after nearly two weeks of nightly strikes. US media reports say Washington’s running low on Patriot interceptors and air defense missiles. (France 24)
Context: The pause in US air strikes on Iran continues, now backed by media reports citing concerns about dwindling stockpiles of defensive munitions, particularly Patriot interceptors and other air defense systems. This is the first concrete explanation for why the US stopped its bombing campaign after weeks of sustained attacks.
Sources: France 24
Diplomacy
Iran countered Oman’s Strait of Hormuz proposal with its own plan that gives Tehran way more control. Gulf states presented a joint management framework, Iran wants dominance instead. (Al Jazeera, France 24)
Context: Oman presented Iran with a Gulf-backed proposal to jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz, including a voluntary fee system for ships using the waterway. Iran’s counterproposal would give it significantly more control than the shared arrangement Oman suggested. Iran then rejected the Oman plan and attacked three ships in the strait.
Sources: Al Jazeera | France 24
US Policy
(Update) Trump and Netanyahu met in DC for the first time since the war started and both called it “excellent.” Happened on July 28, quashing rumors of tensions between them. (France 24)
Context: This was the first in-person meeting between Trump and Netanyahu since they launched their joint war against Iran in February. Despite pre-meeting speculation about friction, both leaders praised the discussions. The meeting happened as Iran was resuming attacks after a pause and took place while Netanyahu attended Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral.
Sources: France 24
Inside Iran
Iran publicly executed two protesters in Isfahan and the crowd turned on the regime instead of cheering. Hundreds chanted anti-police slogans until riot units dispersed them. (France 24)
Context: The Islamic Republic set up a public execution stage in Isfahan’s Alikhani Square at dawn on July 28 for two Iranian protesters. Instead of the expected pro-regime response, several hundred people gathered and chanted against the police, forcing authorities to break up the crowd with anti-riot units.
Sources: France 24
Economy
Iraq’s offering to pump a million barrels of oil a day to Turkey. Turkey’s trying to reduce dependence on Gulf routes that Iran keeps disrupting. (Euronews)
Context: Iraqi PM Ali Zeydi made the offer during his first meeting with Erdoğan since taking office. It’s a direct response to Turkey’s vulnerability to disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran just attacked three vessels and rejected proposals for shared management.
Sources: Euronews
Other
Formula 1 set a mid-September deadline to decide if Qatar and Abu Dhabi can host the final races. They’ll move the season finale to Europe if the war makes the Gulf too dangerous. (Al Jazeera) [UNCONFIRMED]
Context: F1 is giving itself six weeks to assess whether the season’s final rounds in the Middle East can proceed given the expanding conflict. If Qatar and Abu Dhabi can’t host, the championship will end in Europe instead.
Sources: Al Jazeera
What to watch: Whether the US resumes bombing Iran or sticks with the pause while Britain tries to pull together that naval coalition for the Strait of Hormuz.