The United States and Iran escalated military hostilities on July 24, 2026, as U.S. forces conducted a 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military sites while Iran launched drone attacks against American bases in Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain, coinciding with Houthi-led disruptions to Red Sea shipping.
The conflict has shifted into a high-stakes struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy. While the U.S. seeks to keep the waterway open, Iran has effectively shut it down, using the blockade to inflict economic turmoil and secure diplomatic concessions. This tension peaked Friday when U.S. embassies in the Middle East alerted Americans that options to leave could become more limited.
Drone Strikes in Irbil and Regional Bases
In northern Iraq, U.S.-led forces had shot down five explosive-laden drones over the city of Irbil on Friday. Security officials reported that the incident caused no casualties or damage, though an Associated Press journalist reported hearing at least seven blasts and seeing four plumes of black smoke near the airport base.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard expanded its targeting beyond Iraq, claiming to have struck the U.S. base in Udairi, Kuwait, where it reported setting ablaze and destroying three ammunition and storage sheds. The Guard also claimed to have damaged a watchtower for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. While Bahrain and Jordan both confirmed they intercepted Iranian aerial attacks on Friday, the U.S. Central Command did not respond to inquiries regarding the specific claims in Kuwait and Bahrain.
U.S. Bombardment and the B-1 Bomber Escalation
The American military campaign has intensified, marking 13 straight nights of strikes. CENTCOM stated the latest barrage targeted Iranian military operations centers, drone storage, aircraft hangars, and maritime capabilities to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
.
A significant escalation occurred Tuesday when the U.S. deployed a B-1 long-range bomber from an airbase in the UK to strike Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets. This marked the first B-1 mission since fighting resumed 12 days ago. The B-1 is capable of carrying dozens of cruise missiles or two dozen 2,000-lb bombs, signaling a broader expansion of the military campaign.
- Khuzestan: Missile strikes hit Andimeshk and Omidiyeh; a separate attack near Ahvaz killed four people and injured five.
- Lorestan: A drone attack on Khorramabad injured two people.
- Isfahan: Strikes hit a province home to a major air base and a nuclear site.
- Hormuz Region: Explosions were reported on Qeshm Island, a hub for drone boats used to attack vessels.
The Red Sea Chokepoint and Oil Market Volatility
Iran’s leverage has increased through its Houthi allies in Yemen. On Thursday, the Houthis targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, following a naval blockade announced Monday. This move targets a critical alternative route for Saudi oil, which has been diverted by pipeline to the Red Sea to bypass the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The economic impact has been immediate. Brent crude topped $100 a barrel following the Houthi attacks, though it dipped to approximately $96 on Friday. This remains significantly higher than the $72 per barrel price seen before the war.
| Metric | Current Status (July 24, 2026) | Pre-War / Baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Brent Crude Price | ~$96 (Peaked over $100) | ~$72 per barrel |
| Hormuz Tanker Traffic | 1 vessel (Thursday) | One-fifth of global oil/gas |
| U.S. Gas Average | $4.11 per gallon | N/A |
Human Cost and Diplomatic Deadlock
The human toll of the conflict is mounting.
Diplomacy appears to be sputtering.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that using frozen state assets to pay for future claims sets an incendiary precedent
that makes no one’s assets safe. Despite these threats, two Chinese supertankers were among the ships that successfully exited the Bab al-Mandeb strait on Friday, suggesting the Houthi blockade may have strategic exceptions.
The immediate future remains uncertain as roughly 400 vessels around the Strait of Hormuz are affected by the disruption.
Worth a look
