POLITICS

US Resumes Heavy Strikes on Iran, War Spreads to Egypt

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The United States military resumed heavy airstrikes against Iran in the early hours of Thursday, July 30, ending a brief ceasefire that had been in place since July 24. The strikes came in response to an Iranian attack on U.S. forces in Jordan on Tuesday. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets over a two-hour period. The targets included military command centers, drone and missile production facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime defense positions. Iranian state media reported that U.S. strikes hit three cities in southern Bushehr province, including the city of Bushehr which houses Iran's only civilian nuclear power station. Strikes also targeted multiple cities in southwestern Khuzestan province and Qeshm Island. Iranian media reported that a family of three was killed on Qeshm Island. President Donald Trump had warned before the strikes that he would retaliate against Iranian attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East, threatening to "strike hard" against Iran. The conflict expanded to Egypt for the first time. Hours before the U.S. resumed airstrikes, two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers anchored at Egypt's Damietta port on the Mediterranean coast were hit by drone attacks and caught fire. One vessel was Greek-owned and Bermuda-flagged; the other was U.S.-owned and Marshall Islands-flagged. No casualties were reported. No group claimed responsibility, but two Iranian sources told The New York Times the attack was meant to demonstrate that Iran could disrupt global shipping and energy supplies if it chose to escalate. Egypt, a close U.S. ally and regional mediator, said the attacks were carried out by drones. Trump told reporters he had been briefed on the port explosions and suggested Iran was responsible, calling the incident "the same old trick". The Iranian military claimed it launched ballistic missiles on Thursday morning, again striking the U.S. airbase in

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

· On February 28, 2026, US and Israel launched war against Iran.
· On June 2026, a temporary ceasefire collapsed amid renewed fighting.
· On July 17, 2026, Iranian strike killed two US service members in Jordan.
· On July 20, 2026, Trump said US strikes hit Iran "very hard".
· On July 24, 2026, Trump paused US strikes on Iran for diplomacy.
· On July 24, 2026, Senate first rejected war powers resolution 49-47.
· On July 29, 2026, Iran launched ballistic missiles at US Jordan base.
· On July 29, 2026, US-Saudi strikes killed 20 Iraq militias and advisers.
· On July 29, 2026, drone hit US-owned LNG tanker at Egypt port.
· Present Events
· On July 29, 2026, 8:00 PM ET, US launched "heavy wave" Iran strikes.
· On July 30, 2026, CENTCOM confirmed strikes on dozens of IRGC targets.
· On July 30, 2026, Egypt confirmed Damietta drone attack caused fires.
· On July 30, 2026, IRGC claimed destroyed three US F-35 jets.
· On July 30, 2026, Jordan intercepted five Iranian missiles.
· On July 30, 2026, Senate rejected war powers resolution 49-50.
· On July 30, 2026, IRGC said three members killed in Zanjan.
· On July 30, 2026, Kuwait accused Iran of strike killing one.
· On July 30, 2026, oil prices rose above $90 per barrel.
· On July 30, 2026, Pakistan said diplomacy remains only viable path.
· Future Scenarios
· US may launch 10-to-14-day intensive punitive airstrike campaign.
· Iran may escalate attacks on US allies and shipping.
· Full-scale war could resume if diplomacy fails completely.
· Congress may continue attempting to constrain presidential war powers.
· Oil prices and global energy markets face sustained volatility.

News Intelligence

· Immediate US impact (10 words): US troops in region face escalated Iranian missile and drone attacks.
· Possible long-term US impact (10 words): Prolonged Middle East war strains military resources and global alliances.
· Most affected groups (10 words): US service members, energy markets, Gulf allies, and global shipping.
· What readers should prioritise (10 words): Verify claims across multiple sources; avoid unverified Iranian military assertions.