CBS News reports the US and Israel are preparing joint strikes on Iran’s energy-related targets, marking a potentially major escalation in the five-month military confrontation.
Core Summary Iran launched a missile strike on a US military base in Jordan, killing two American service members and leaving one missing. This marks the first time US troops have been killed by direct Iranian military action since the escalation of US-Iran tensions, pushing the conflict into a dangerous new phase. Event Details According to CBS News, Iran struck a US military installation in Jordan on July 18, resulting in the deaths of two American soldiers, with a third currently listed as missing. This represents the first confirmed US fatalities from direct Iranian military action since the current round of hostilities began. ...
Core Summary US President Trump claimed during a primetime TV address that China obtained up to 220 million American voter registration files, presenting them as core evidence for his election security initiative. However, analysis by multiple major media outlets found the documents do not directly prove large-scale election fraud. Event Details According to USA Today, President Trump displayed voter registration files during a Friday evening primetime address, claiming they proved China’s “massive infiltration” of the US election system. Trump simultaneously called for revoking the broadcast licenses of ABC and NBC for refusing to air his speech on election integrity. ...
Core Summary The US military carried out its seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran early on July 18, with targets expanding to key bridge infrastructure to sever supply lines. Tehran has threatened a “full-scale” counter-offensive as Middle East tensions continue to escalate. Event Details US Central Command confirmed completion of the seventh straight night of strikes against Iran. Unlike previous rounds that focused primarily on military installations and radar sites, this phase targeted transportation bridges connecting key military nodes within Iran. The Wall Street Journal quoted US defense officials saying the move aims to “cut the arteries” of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard logistics network. ...
U.S. intelligence agencies have submitted an assessment to the White House warning that Israel is likely to take military or diplomatic actions to undermine the recently reached U.S.-Iran peace agreement, revealing deep divisions between the two allies on Middle East policy.
President Trump unveiled a new VC-25B aircraft gifted by Qatar worth approximately $400 million at Joint Base Andrews. The plane will serve as a bridge aircraft until new Air Force One jets are delivered, but its nature as a foreign government gift has sparked widespread debate about U.S. ethics regulations and diplomatic influence.
Poland’s president has revoked the highest Polish honour previously awarded to Ukrainian President Zelensky, citing Ukraine’s use of a controversial WW2-era military unit name. Ukraine condemned the move as a ‘strategic mistake’ and ‘disrespectful,’ pushing bilateral relations into their worst diplomatic crisis in years.
Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator, is expected to raise around 4 billion dollars through a share sale, potentially becoming one of India’s largest ever.
VP Vance cancels trip to Switzerland for next-phase US-Iran talks as Israel-Hezbollah clashes escalate sharply in southern Lebanon. Lebanon reports 18 killed in Israeli strikes; Israel confirms 4 soldiers killed by Hezbollah. The developments test the freshly signed US-Iran peace deal.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly criticised NATO allies for insufficient defence spending and announced a comprehensive review of US military deployments in Europe, signalling major pressure on transatlantic security relations.