Iran war: US launches attacks for 11th night as Trump seeks $70bn more for military

What Happened

The United States conducted an 11th consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure, targeting operations centers, maritime capabilities, and logistics facilities in Tabriz, Khuzestan, Ilam, and Hamadan provinces. US Central Command stated the 75-minute operation aimed to degrade Iranian military capacity. In retaliation, the Iranian military launched drone strikes against US facilities in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain, specifically targeting Camp Doha, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, and Isa Air Base. The Iranian military claimed these strikes hit ammunition depots and logistics equipment, while the US Department of Defense confirmed the death of an 18th American soldier following the 17 July strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The ongoing conflict has effectively paralyzed commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with Kpler reporting a significant decline in commodity vessel traffic. The escalation has pushed Brent crude prices above $94 per barrel and triggered a broader regional security crisis, as evidenced by the Houthis threatening a blockade of Saudi shipping and the spillover of fighting into Saudi territory. The failure of the 17 June memorandum of understanding has intensified domestic political debate in the US regarding the $70 billion in additional military funding requested by the Trump administration.

Watch For

Monitor the status of the 60-day negotiation window established by the 17 June memorandum of understanding, which remains contested by both Washington and Tehran. Additionally, track potential further disruptions to energy supplies in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as upcoming congressional debates regarding the $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request for 2027.