West Asia: Tensions between the US and Iran surged overnight. CENTCOM launched its 12th wave of airstrikes on Iranian military targets. Iran-backed forces struck multiple US bases. Nearly 100 American troops suffered injuries, the Pentagon confirmed.
Breaking: First use of B-1 bomber reported
Axios reported the US deployed a B-1 bomber for the first time in this conflict. This move signals a major escalation. Explosions rocked southern Iran, including areas near Tehran. US forces hit command centers, missile sites, and IRGC-linked infrastructure.
Casualties mount on both sides
The Pentagon said 96% of injured US troops have returned to duty. Most suffered minor concussions. Three more American personnel died in attacks on bases in Jordan and Iraq. Total US military fatalities since the conflict resumed on July 7 now stand at 17.
Iranian officials claim US bombardments killed more than 35 people. Over 300 others suffered injuries. Iran’s military headquarters warned that Tehran could launch wide assaults on all regional infrastructure if Washington follows through on President Donald Trump’s threats to bomb Iranian power stations and bridges.
Strait of Hormuz: Iran’s “red line”
Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s military, said the US has no right to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz. “This is Iran’s invincible red line,” he declared. Tehran has shut down the strategic waterway to maritime shipping. Global concerns over oil supply disruptions have grown.
Trump rules out immediate peace deal
President Donald Trump dismissed calls for an immediate ceasefire. He said Tehran’s leadership is “not ready” for peace. Trump accused Iran of changing its demands after earlier negotiations. “We will not back down until Iran’s military capabilities are sufficiently degraded,” Trump said.
Regional fallout: Houthis strike Saudi tankers
The conflict has spread beyond Iran and the US. Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen claimed to have struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. Fears of a broader regional war have grown. Aviation authorities issued no-fly warnings for parts of Jordan and Iraq. Several countries urged their citizens to leave the region immediately.
What’s next?
Both sides trade threats. Military strikes show no sign of slowing. The risk of a full-scale regional war looms larger by the hour. The EU and Pakistan have called for dialogue. But with Trump ruling out a peace deal and Iran vowing to defend its “red lines,” the path to de-escalation remains unclear.
