US, Iran Threaten Vital Infrastructure As Rhetoric Heats Up Again
Tehran threatened to strike US- and Israeli-linked infrastructure sites in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump said American forces would continue to hit Iran “very hard” until the Islamic republic “can’t take it anymore.“
"We'll be hitting him very hard and, you know, at some point they're going to say, 'We just can't take it anymore,'" Trump said during a cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat in the state of Maryland.
Meanwhile, Iran's state-run Tasnim news agency early on August 1 cited a senior security official as saying Tehran has prepared a "comprehensive plan" to respond to any "potential American recklessness."
The official Tehran's plan includes striking critical infrastructure of Israel and the US, including energy facilities, in the region, according to Tasnim.
Those comments came after multiple US media outlets, including CBS and The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that Trump had ordered a fresh air campaign aimed at forcing Tehran to surrender and that it could come as soon as this weekend.
CBS News reported that US and Israeli forces were planning joint strikes on energy-related sites, also as soon as this weekend, and that the targets would likely be oil refineries and power plants.
Trump has often threatened to blast key Iranian infrastructure facilities throughout the war. A week ago, he vowed to destroy a bridge or power plant every time that Tehran fires at ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s oil and gas supplies normally transit.
CBS, citing multiple unnamed sources, added that Trump had not yet given the go-ahead for the coordinated US-Israeli strikes. The report comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington to meet with Trump and US defense chief Pete Hegseth.
If the strikes do take place, it would mark Israel’s return to active combat activities for the first time since the initial days of the war, which began on February 28 before an interim deal brought about an often broken cease-fire.
CBS claimed in its reporting that some White House aides voiced strong objections to the plan at the Camp David cabinet meeting.
Even as he threatens further attacks on Iran, Trump has insisted that it is still possible to reach a peace deal with Tehran.
Elsewhere, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on August 1 denied reports they were planning to impose fees on commercial ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, insisting that passage through the strategic waterway remained free.
Reuters on July 29, citing regional sources, reported that the Houthis were considering imposing fees on commercial ships sailing through the southern Red Sea, after earlier declaring a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia on July 30 said it had established a maritime defense alliance to secure navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait amid attacks on Saudi vessels by the Houthi rebels.
The world community has condemned efforts by Iran to charge tolls or fees for another crucial sea route, the Strait of Hormuz, which is considered an international waterway and not under the control of any country. Traffic has slowed through the strait amid threats of Iranian attacks, although US forces insist the waterway is open.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, AFP, Reuters, CBS, and The Wall Street Journal
Prison Hunger Strike Ends After Iran Agrees To Temporary Halt In Drug Executions
A hunger strike by hundreds of death-row prisoners at Ghezel Hesar Prison has ended after Iranian authorities met with the striking inmates and promised a temporary halt to drug-related executions at the facility, according to the Iran Human Rights organization (IHRNGO).
IHRNGO announced on July 29 that six prisoners sentenced to death in drug-related cases were transferred back from solitary confinement to the prison's general wards following the meeting. The authorities also pledged to suspend executions related to drug offenses at Ghezel Hesar for the time being.
The hunger strike began on July 12 after six death-row prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement in Unit 2 of Ghezel Hesar Prison, a section that houses around 1,500 prisoners sentenced to death in drug-related cases. The protest became a rare instance of collective action by prisoners facing execution and drew attention from rights groups and international observers.
IHRNGO Director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam welcomed the temporary halt, saying it demonstrated that authorities were capable of stopping executions when the political cost of carrying them out increased.
To read the full report, click here.
US Embassies In Middle East Warn Of 'Potential Unforeseen Escalation'
The US embassies in Jordan, Israel, and Iraq issued a security alert to US citizens in those countries on August 1, warning of the "potential for unforeseen escalation" amid "heightened tensions" in the Middle East.
"Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions," read the security alert, which was posted on the embassies' websites.
It warned US citizens in the region to "consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation," adding that "Americans outside the Middle East should seriously reconsider travel to and through the region."
The Baghdad embassy additionally advised: "In the event of an attack, seek shelter in a safe location and avoid approaching debris or falling objects."
The alert comes as the United States and Iran have traded strikes, with Iran threatening to target US interests in the region in retaliation for its strikes on Iran.
Iran Military Commander Says Countries Who Aid US 'Will Burn In The Fire Of War'
An Iranian military commander warned on August 1 that countries in the region cooperating with the United States could face the consequences of the escalating conflict.
Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, urged Muslim countries to reconsider their cooperation with Washington, saying countries that make themselves a “defensive shield” for the United States would “burn in the fire of war,” according to the ISNA news agency.
Abdollahi accused the United States of using regional countries and their infrastructure to support its military operations. His comments came amid escalating hostilities between Iran and the United States and heightened security concerns across the region.
Several regional countries have stepped up efforts to protect maritime traffic as concerns over the security of key shipping routes continue to grow.
Kuwait Says Air Defenses Engage Iranian Drones As 2 Tanker Incidents Reported Off Oman
Kuwait said on August 1 that its air defenses were engaging Iranian drone attacks, while the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported two separate maritime incidents involving tankers off the coast of Oman amid heightened tensions in the Gulf.
Kuwait's military said its air defenses were confronting hostile drones following what it described as Iranian aggression. It said explosions heard in the country were caused by air-defense systems intercepting incoming attacks and urged residents to follow official safety instructions.
Separately, UKMTO said a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile about 20 kilometers northeast of Lima, Oman, damaging its engine room and leaving the vessel unable to maneuver. No casualties or environmental impact were reported.
Later, UKMTO reported a second incident about 39 kilometers northeast of Khasab, where a tanker crew saw a large splash and an explosion close to the vessel. No damage was reported.
Lima and Khasab are on Oman's Musandam Peninsula at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which about a fifth of global oil consumption passes.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has faced increased risks in recent weeks as Iran and the US have stepped up hostilities, with some shipowners taking additional precautions.
With reporting by AFP and Reuters
We are now closing the live blog for the day. We'll be back tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Central European time to cover the latest events across the Middle East.
US, Iran Threaten Vital Infrastructure As Rhetoric Heats Up Again
Tehran threatened to strike US- and Israeli-linked infrastructure sites in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump said American forces would continue to hit Iran “very hard” until the Islamic republic “can’t take it anymore.“
"We'll be hitting him very hard and, you know, at some point they're going to say, 'We just can't take it anymore,'" Trump said during a cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat in the state of Maryland.
Meanwhile, Iran's state-run Tasnim news agency early on August 1 cited a senior security official as saying Tehran has prepared a "comprehensive plan" to respond to any "potential American recklessness."
The official Tehran's plan includes striking critical infrastructure of Israel and the US, including energy facilities, in the region, according to Tasnim.
Those comments came after multiple US media outlets, including CBS and The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that Trump had ordered a fresh air campaign aimed at forcing Tehran to surrender and that it could come as soon as this weekend.
CBS News reported that US and Israeli forces were planning joint strikes on energy-related sites, also as soon as this weekend, and that the targets would likely be oil refineries and power plants.
Trump has often threatened to blast key Iranian infrastructure facilities throughout the war. A week ago, he vowed to destroy a bridge or power plant every time that Tehran fires at ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s oil and gas supplies normally transit.
CBS, citing multiple unnamed sources, added that Trump had not yet given the go-ahead for the coordinated US-Israeli strikes. The report comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington to meet with Trump and US defense chief Pete Hegseth.
If the strikes do take place, it would mark Israel’s return to active combat activities for the first time since the initial days of the war, which began on February 28 before an interim deal brought about an often broken cease-fire.
CBS claimed in its reporting that some White House aides voiced strong objections to the plan at the Camp David cabinet meeting.
Even as he threatens further attacks on Iran, Trump has insisted that it is still possible to reach a peace deal with Tehran.
Elsewhere, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on August 1 denied reports they were planning to impose fees on commercial ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, insisting that passage through the strategic waterway remained free.
Reuters on July 29, citing regional sources, reported that the Houthis were considering imposing fees on commercial ships sailing through the southern Red Sea, after earlier declaring a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia on July 30 said it had established a maritime defense alliance to secure navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait amid attacks on Saudi vessels by the Houthi rebels.
The world community has condemned efforts by Iran to charge tolls or fees for another crucial sea route, the Strait of Hormuz, which is considered an international waterway and not under the control of any country. Traffic has slowed through the strait amid threats of Iranian attacks, although US forces insist the waterway is open.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, AFP, Reuters, CBS, and The Wall Street Journal
Houthis Deny Plan To Charge Fees For Bab Al-Mandab Strait Passage
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on August 1 denied reports they were planning to impose fees on commercial ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, insisting that passage through the strategic waterway remained free.
The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) said its "safe transit service was a voluntary and cost-free service."
"The HOCC categorically confirms that any individual or entity requesting the payment of money in exchange for transiting the Bab sl-Mandab Strait does not represent the Republic of Yemen or HOCC in any capacity whatsoever," it said in a statement.
"The HOCC urges shipping companies not to make any payments or provide any information to unauthorized individuals or entities," it said.
Reuters on July 29, citing regional sources, reported that the Houthis were considering imposing fees on commercial ships sailing through the southern Red Sea, after earlier declaring a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia on July 30 said it had established a maritime defense alliance to secure navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait amid attacks on Saudi vessels by the Houthi rebels.
Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry issued a joint statement on behalf of 14 countries, including several US partners -- Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar -- saying that the alliance was "aimed at enhancing maritime security."
Although the Houthis have said they intend to blockade only Saudi Arabia, recent incidents in the Red Sea have raised the risk of a second chokepoint threatening global oil supplies, with threats to the Bab al-Mandab Strait compounding Iran’s continuing efforts to control the key Strait of Hormuz.
The world community has condemned efforts by Tehran to charge tolls or fees for passage of the Strait of Hormuz, which is considered an international waterway and not under the control of any country.
With reporting by Reuters
Iraq Bolsters Defenses Following US-Saudi Strikes On Iran-Allied Fighters
Iraq has said it will bolster its air defenses and intelligence activities after US-Saudi forces struck pro-Iran militants accused of launching attacks in the region.
Government spokesman Sabah al-Numan said Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi "issued strict and immediate orders...to raise alertness and readiness to the maximum across all camps and bases, particularly at the official bases of the armed forces and the Hashed al-Shaabi."
On July 29, US-Saudi air strikes targeted bases belonging to the Hashed al-Shaabi, an Iraqi militant alliance that has been integrated into the country's armed forces but also includes powerful pro-Iran groups known for acting independently.
The US-Saudi strikes killed 20 fighters, including five Iranians after Riyadh said its forces had intercepted drones targeting oil facilities and blamed Iran-allied groups based in Iraq.
The government in Baghdad has expressed concerns about being pulled into the US-Israeli war with Iran and the wider Middle East conflict, with attacks being reported by both pro-Iran groups and Iranian-Kurdish exile groups in Iraq.
With reporting by AFP
Trump: Iran Still Has Missiles But Military Capabilities 'Almost Gone'
US President Donald Trump said on July 31 that Iran still has some missiles and drones but that its military production capabilities have been severely degraded by US strikes, as he vowed to continue the campaign against Tehran until it backs down.
Speaking to reporters at a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Trump said Iran had "some missiles" remaining but claimed that its missile and drone production capabilities were "almost gone."
"They still have some missiles, but they're a lot less than they were four or five months ago," Trump said. "Their missile production capacity is almost gone. Their drone production capacity is almost gone."
Trump said the United States would continue to strike Iran "very hard," predicting that Tehran would eventually reach a point where it could no longer sustain the conflict.
In a separate interview with Fox News on the same day, Trump said the war was "going very well" and that Washington would continue its military campaign. "All you can do is keep winning, and then eventually something will happen," he said.
Trump also questioned whether Iranian officials could be trusted in any future negotiations with Washington, accusing Tehran of repeatedly breaking commitments. He said that while a new agreement with Iran remained possible, its alleged failure to honor previous commitments had undermined his confidence in reaching a deal.
The comments came after US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had carried out a major wave of strikes against Iranian military targets, including Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) command centers, missile and drone facilities, coastal defenses, and maritime capabilities.
Iran, meanwhile, has continued its attacks against US and allied targets in the region. Tehran has also threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with its forces claiming to have attacked commercial vessels and Washington disputing some of Iran's claims regarding the status of the waterway.
Zelenskyy: Iran Conflict Linked To Russia's War Against Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia's war against Ukraine is intertwined with the US conflict with Iran, adding that Moscow is "very happy" to see Washington's attention shift from the war in Ukraine to the Middle East.
"Russia gave drones to Iran," Zelenskyy said in a Fox News interview excerpt published on July 31, adding that Tehran had used the Moscow-supplied weaponry to attack countries in the Middle East.
"The [fragments] are Russian in the destroyed drones.... Everybody saw this," he said.
Iran has long been an ally of Russia. Its military equipment and technology were crucial during the first stage of Moscow's war effort against Ukraine. According to Kyiv's estimates, Russia's military has used tens of thousands of Shahed drones to attack Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Now, with Tehran in need, the Ukrainian president added that he was "absolutely" convinced Moscow had provided Iran with satellite images of US military bases across the Middle East.
"Russia is very happy that there is no ending the war, real ending the war in the Middle East.... Because they understand that since the United States is in this war, they can't help Ukraine on the same level like it was before," Zelenskyy said.
The interview excerpt was released days after Zelenskyy returned from the United States, where he asked US President Donald Trump to provide Kyiv with licenses for Patriot missiles.
Ukraine has desperately sought to obtain more air defense capabilities to defend itself against Russia's daily air attacks and prepare for another winter during which Moscow could again intensify its targeting of the country’s energy infrastructure, leaving thousands of people without heat or electricity amid freezing temperatures.